[Study of mortality factors in premature infants: case of neonatal intensive care unit: Childrens Hospital Rabat]

This final thesis from the IFCS (Institute for Training in Healthcare Careers) highlights several constraints related to the care of premature infants and the determining factors in their mortality in the neonatal intensive care unit of the Childrens Hospital in Rabat Morocco. This is a retrospective study conducted using files from the second semester of the year 2001; it has the objective of studying the problem of mortality in premature infants in this department. It is based on the data collection form in the case of death. Interpretation of data collected showed that the death rate of premature infants is quite high due to the negative influence of the following factors: the departments capacity cannot handle the number of premature infants; this department is inadequately equipped which unfavorably influences the quality of care; lack of a mobile transport unit responsible for transferring premature infants from the place of birth to the neonatal intensive care unit; the lack of an incubator section in said department; the unavailability of certain drugs making care ineffective; the absence of strict monitoring during pregnancy especially in the period from weeks 30 to 34; and finally the absence of continuing education sessions concerning care of premature infants. The deficiency or lack of adequate care of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit led to suggestions in the form of technical sheets concerning intake and installation care of a premature infant with respiratory problems hypothermia and finally dietary management.