Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (PDSR) vs Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) -the Zambian Scenario Volume 4 - Issue 4

Mutesu Kapembwa Kunda¹*, Kenneth Kapembwa², Leah Seaman² and Muleya Inambao²

• ^*1Paediatrician and Neonatologist, University of Zambia, Zambia
• ²Newborn Support Zambia Research Group, Zambia

Received:July 06, 2023   Published: July 14, 2023

Corresponding author:Mutesu-Kapembwa Kunda, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, University of Zambia, Chingola, Zambia

DOI: 10.32474/PAPN.2023.04.000191

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Abstract

The Neonatal mortality rate of 27 per 1000 live births in Zambia is one of the highest in Sub-Sahara Africa. Although these perinatal deaths are reviewed on a weekly basis, there are gaps that may be context specific. The inception of mortality audits and surveillance response meetings in Zambia were characterized by predominantly maternal death discussion. Perinatal deaths were discussed separately but it was noted that the emphasis and attendance of perinatal death audits was not as robust. WHO recommended joint discussion of perinatal and maternal deaths putting perinatal death discussion on the agenda but with very little change in the system. With more perinatal deaths than can be discussed in one meeting, cases would then be sampled, but the in-depth discussion that the cases warranted would be limited due to various factors. An attempt at detailed discussion of the perinatal deaths at separate time from the general Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance Response (MPDSR) meeting, with focus on cheap but impactful interventions, resulted in identification of healthcare provider knowledge gaps on danger signs and actions to warrant a favourable outcome. Effective perinatal audit review requires dedicated time but also the presence of medical staff with expertise in the care of neonates in order to help identify areas of knowledge gap and skills training. The quality of the audits is likely to improve once the healthcare providers have adequate knowledge regarding actions before danger signs are obvious. Implementation of the low-cost impactful interventions needs to be contextualized.

Keywords:Hypothermia; hypoglycaemia; perinatal deaths; maternal deaths; neonatal mortality

Abstract| Introduction| Recommendations| Conclusion| Acknowledgments| Author contributions| Conflict of Interest| Funding| References|