Survival Status and Predictors of Mortality Among Low-birth-weight Neonates in Southern Ethiopia: A Prospective Follow-up Study

Background: Due to anatomical and physiological immaturity low-birth-weight (LBW) neonates are at risk for different complications which may lead to death at a specified period after birth. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the survival rate and predictors of mortality among LBW neonates. Methods: A hospital-based prospective cohort study design was conducted among 768 LBW neonates. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify predictors of mortality among LBW neonates. Result: The mortality rate of low birth weight was 38.8 (95% CI: 33.9–44.3) per 1,000 child-day observations. Parity (AHR = 1.47 [95% CI: 1.06–2.05]), Birth weight <1000 gram (AHR = 4.70 [95% CI: 2.36–9.35]), Birth weight <1500 gram (AHR = 1.62 [95% CI: 1.16–2.27]), Neonatal sepsis (AHR = 2.41 [95% CI: 2.25–2.91]), Birth asphyxia (AHR = 1.46 [95% CI = 1.02–2.08]), Kangaroo mother care (KMC) (AHR = 0.35 [95% CI: 0.24–0.49]), were statistically significantly associated with mortality. Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed that the incidence rate of mortality among LBW neonates was high. Practising KMC for all LBW neonates and appropriate treatment of neonatal sepsis and birth asphyxia were strongly recommended to reduce mortality among LBW neonates.