Current Challenges in Reducing Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality in Thailand
Pakaphan Kiatchoosakun MD*, Junya Jirapradittha MD*, Rosawan Areemitr MD*, Sumitr Sutra MD*, Kaewjai Thepsuthammarat PhD**
Affiliation : * Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Information on neonatal mortality and burden of illness during the neonatal period is an essential guide for
prioritizing interventions for solving health problems and allocating resources.
Objective : To evaluate the burden of diseases and the current health situation among Thai neonates under the Universal
Health Insurance Coverage Scheme.
Materials and Method: The number of admissions according to mortality, length of hospital stay and cost of hospital charges
during the neonatal period was analyzed.
Results : There were 638,795 live births according to the data extracted from the three healthcare schemes supporting
‘universal healthcare’ in Thailand, which is lower than the data from the Health Information Unit of the Bureau of Health
Policy and Strategy at the Ministry of Public Health. The neonatal death rate was 3.98 per 1,000 live births comprising 58.9%
of all infant deaths. Major proportion of neonatal deaths (70%) occurred in early neonatal period and 43% of which occurred
within the first two days of life. The leading causes of neonatal deaths were prematurity, respiratory problems, congenital
malformation, birth asphyxia and infection. The most prevalent diagnosis for admissions was neonatal jaundice, disorders
related to short gestation, respiratory disorders and neonatal infection.
Conclusion : More investment is required to improve education and implement health interventions that can be integrated
into existing health systems for better neonatal outcomes.
Keywords : Burden of illness, Mortality, Neonate, Prematurity
