Determinants of mortality in neonatal intestinal obstruction in Ile Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Neonatal intestinal obstruction (NIO) is a common cause of mortality. This study determined the causes of mortality in patients with NIO at the Obafemi
Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile Ife. Patients and Methods: Records of all cases of NIO managed at OAUTHC between January 1996 and December 2005 were retrospectively reviewed and the possible factors that may result in mortality were analysed. Results: Sixty-three neonates with intestinal obstruction were managed, representing 24.3% of the neonatal admissions during the study period. Forty-two
were males and 21 were females (M:F = 2:1). The majority (71.4%) of the patients presented within the fi rst week of life. Anorectal malformation constituted 57.1% of
the causes of NIO. Other causes included Hirschsprung's disease, duodenal atresia, intestinal malrotation with midgut volvulus and jejunal atresia. There were 18
deaths, with a mortality rate of 28.6%. Reoperation, postoperative bleeding and peroperative sepsis were signifi cant determinants of mortality. Conclusion: NIO
is associated with signifi cant mortality in our centre. Repeat surgery, postoperative bleeding and sepsis were the signifi cant factors that contributed to mortality in NIO

Keywords: Determinants, mortality, neonatal intestinal obstruction

African Journal of Paediatric Surgery Vol. 6 (1) 2009: pp. 11-13