Abstract

A hidden burden of neonatal illness? A cross-sectional study of all admissions aged less than one month across twelve Kenyan County hospitals

Murphy GAV, Nyakangi VN, Gathara D, Ogero M, English M, Clinical Information Network
Wellcome Open Res. 2017;2

Permenent descriptor

Background: Small and sick newborns need high quality specialised care within health facilities to address persistently high neonatal mortality in low-income settings, including Kenya. Methods: We examined neonatal admissions in 12 public-sector County (formerly District) hospitals in Kenya between November 2014 and November 2016. Using data abstracted from newborn unit (NBU) admission registers and paediatric ward (PW) medical records, we explore the magnitude and distribution of admissions. In addition, interviews with senior staff were conducted to understand admission policies for newborns in these facilities. Results: Of the total 80,666 paediatric admissions, 28,884 (35.8%) were aged