A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NEONATAL MORTALITY IN MILITARY and CIVILIAN INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

We statistically compared neonatal mortality data from Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) to those recently reported from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (UCHSC). TAMC delivery and neonatal death summaries from 1977 through 1981 were reviewed: 17,102 live births and 102 in-born deaths occurred. These results were compared to similar data obtained from 14,413 births and 252 deaths at UCHSC from 1974 through 1980. Premature deliveries were less common at TAMC, possibly resulting from fewer high-risk pregnancy referrals: 0.57% were born before 29 weeks gestation at TAMC, compared to 1.61% at UCHSC. Fifty-three percent of the neonatal deaths at TAMC and 54% at UCHSC occurred in this category. The overall neonatal mortality rate was 0.67% at TAMC, in contrast to 1.75% at UCHSC. However, analysis of mortality in relation to birthweight, gestational age, and combined BW-GA categories developed by UCHSC Mortality by Combined BW-GA Category revealed no significant differences between TAMC and UCHSC (Table). We conclude that in terms of outcome, neonatal care delivered at TAMC is similar to that delivered in a prestigious civilian institution.