In-hospital Neonatal Mortality and the Role of Consanguinity
Lama Charafeddine
Pediatrics, American University of Beirut Medical Center
Search for more papers by this authorFarah Ammous
Pediatrics, American University of Beirut Medical Center
Search for more papers by this authorLoulou Kobeissi
Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut
Search for more papers by this authorTimothy De Ver Dye
Center for Research and Evaluation, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMarie-Claude Faddous Khalife
Notre Dame de Secours Hospital, Jbeil, Lebanon
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Khalid Yunis
Pediatrics, American University of Beirut Medical Center
Khalid Yunis, MD, American University Hospital of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorLama Charafeddine
Pediatrics, American University of Beirut Medical Center
Search for more papers by this authorFarah Ammous
Pediatrics, American University of Beirut Medical Center
Search for more papers by this authorLoulou Kobeissi
Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut
Search for more papers by this authorTimothy De Ver Dye
Center for Research and Evaluation, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMarie-Claude Faddous Khalife
Notre Dame de Secours Hospital, Jbeil, Lebanon
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Khalid Yunis
Pediatrics, American University of Beirut Medical Center
Khalid Yunis, MD, American University Hospital of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorSame address for reprints.
Abstract
Background: Consanguinity which increases the risk of genetic disorders has been implicated at times in infant mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the association between consanguinity and in-hospital mortality in newborns.
Methods: Data was collected prospectively on all births from 26 hospitals in Lebanon from January 2004 to December 2008 and admitted to the National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network. Secondary analysis was done on 65,402 singletons, after exclusion of stillbirths, infants of multiple gestation and infants of second cousin progeny.
Results: In-hospital mortality was 6.7 per 1000 live births (439/65,402). The rate of first cousin marriage was 9.9%. Consanguinity was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 2.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8, 3.1); consanguinity remained a significant predictor of mortality (odds ratio 1.8 [95% CI: 1.2, 2.9]) after adjusting for maternal age and education, crowding index, history of abortion, prenatal care, mode of delivery, gender, birthweight and apgar score at 5 minutes.
Conclusions: This association of consanguinity with in-hospital mortality points to potential genetic factors leading to this increased risk. Designing public health interventions, including raising the awareness and taking into consideration such risks in neonatal mortality studies are indicated.
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