TITLE:
Mortality of Neonatal Surgical Emergencies at the Mother and Child University Hospital Jeanne Ebori Foundation (CHUMEFJE) in Libreville
AUTHORS:
Natacha Boumas, Quessia Mangono, Hubert Nzue Nguéma, Marcelle Abégué, Antonio Sartorio, Daria Mindze, Rony Bibang, Mélina Nkole Aboughe, Lustaire Tsague, Francois Ondo Ndong
KEYWORDS:
Neonatal Mortality, Emergency, Surgery, Libreville
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.15 No.6,
November
7,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Mortality among newborns with surgical emergencies is high in developing countries. These deaths have psychosocial consequences for families and the community. Objective: To determine the prevalence and epidemiological profile of deaths from neonatal surgical emergencies. Method: This was a descriptive retrospective study conducted over a 3-year period on 89 records of patients with neonatal surgical emergencies (NSE), who had or had not undergone surgery and died at the CHUMEFJE. The parameters studied were demographic, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects. Results: During this period, 194 neonatal surgical emergencies were hospitalised and 89 died, representing a mortality rate of 45.8%. The mean consultation time was 3 ± 2.9 days [0 to 11]. Patients were referred to in 46.1% of cases and came from rural areas in 22.5%. The sex ratio was 1.2. Prematurity was found in 55%. The mean term was 35.8 ± 3 weeks [25 - 40]. The mean birth weight was 2335 ± 714 g [600 - 4315]. Digestive atresia and gastroschisis were found in 34.8% and 18% respectively. An associated malformation was found in 11.2%. The mean age of patients at the time of death was 10.5 ± 10.9 days [0 - 43]. Postoperative hospital mortality was 67.4%. The cause of death highlighted was septic shock in 49.4%. The duration of hospitalization was 9.3 ± 10 days. Conclusion: Newborn boys with digestive atresia are more vulnerable. Multidisciplinary care could prevent the vicious cycle of sepsis and improve survival rates.