Mortality and Morbidity in Extremely Preterm Infants: A Retrospective Case Analysis and Literature Review
M. Afroukh *
Children’s Hospital, Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Rabat, Morocco.
E. Bahous
Department of Neonatal Intensive Care, Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
A. Ayad
Department of Neonatal Intensive Care, Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
M. Sellouti
Department of Neonatal Intensive Care, Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
S. Saghir
Department of Neonatal Intensive Care, Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
R. Abilkacime
Pediatrics and Neonatal Intensive Care, Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To describe mortality and morbidity among preterm infants who died during hospitalization in a Moroccan tertiary center and to contextualize findings with the literature.
Study Design: Retrospective case analysis and literature review.
Setting and Period: NICU, HMIMV, Rabat, Morocco; January 2019 and March 2025
Methods: Fourteen in-hospital deaths among preterm infants were reviewed. Maternal factors, gestational age, birth weight, complications, and timing of death were abstracted.
Results: Infections were the leading attribution (8/14; 57%), followed by respiratory distress syndrome (3/14; 21%) and congenital anomalies (3/14; 21%). Early deaths (<7 days) were 3/14 (21%); late deaths (≥7 days) 11/14 (79%). All RDS-related deaths occurred early, whereas infection- and anomaly-related deaths occurred late.
Conclusion: Mortality among extremely/very preterm infants remains high. The predominance of late, infection-related deaths contrasts with many high-income reports and underscores priorities such as antenatal corticosteroids, Kangaroo Mother Care, early breastfeeding, and infection prevention.
Keywords: Preterm birth, neonatal mortality, very preterm, infection, respiratory distress syndrome, Morocco