Page 1839 - Week 05 - Thursday, 11 May 2017

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Hospitals—neonatal deaths
(Question No 140)

Mrs Dunne asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 24 March 2017:

(1) Further to the reply to question on notice No 70, how many neonatal deaths were caused by extreme prematurity abnormalities in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15, (c) 2015-16 and (d) 2016-17 to date.

(2) What was the nature of the prematurity abnormalities.

(3) How many neonatal deaths were caused by congenital abnormalities.

(4) What was the nature of the congenital abnormalities.

(5) What were the other causes of neonatal deaths.

(6) How many neonatal deaths have occurred as a consequence of other causes.

Ms Fitzharris: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) Due to small numbers being potentially identifiable, neonatal deaths by cause of death are reported in 5 year periods. The most recently published ACT Perinatal Mortality Report included perinatal deaths for 2006 to 2010. The next report is due to be published later this year and will include perinatal deaths for 2011 to 2015. It will follow a similar format to the previous report. Attachment A is an extract of pages 19 and 20 from the previous report, available on ACT Health’s website.

In 2006 to 2010 extreme prematurity was the cause of 24 neonatal deaths (38.7 per cent).

(2) Of the 24 neonatal deaths in 2006 to 2010 due to extreme prematurity, 22 were considered pre-viable and were not resuscitated. Two had unsuccessful resuscitation attempts.

(3) In 2006 to 2010 congenital abnormalities was the cause of 15 neonatal deaths (24.2 per cent).

(4) Of the 15 neonatal deaths in 2006 to 2010 due to congenital abnormalities, four were chromosomal abnormalities, five musculoskeletal abnormalities and three were classified under other specified congenital abnormalities.

(5) and 6)

Other causes of neonatal deaths in 2006 to 2010 included neurological conditions (19.4 per cent); cardio-respiratory disorders and infections (17.7 per cent).

(A copy of the attachment is available at the Chamber Support Office).


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