This annual report - Taranaki District Health Board

New Zealand Distribution and TrendsNew Zealand TrendsIn New Zealand during the 1990s, neonatal and post neonatal mortality both declined,although rates were more static during the mid to late 2000s. An upswing in neonatalmortality was evident during 2007–2009. However it is too early to say whether this is arandom fluctuation or the beginning of an upward trend (Figure 109).Trends by EthnicityIn New Zealand during 1996–2009, while there was some year to year variation, neonatalmortality was generally higher for Pacific and Māori infants than for European andAsian/Indian infants. Post neonatal mortality however was consistently higher for Māori >Pacific > European and Asian/Indian infants during this period (Figure 110).Distribution by CauseIn New Zealand during 2005–2009, extreme prematurity and congenital anomalies werethe leading causes of neonatal mortality, although intrauterine/birth asphyxia and otherperinatal conditions also made a significant contribution. In contrast, SUDI was the leadingcause of post neonatal mortality, followed by congenital anomalies (Table 60).Table 60. Neonatal and Post Neonatal Mortality Cause of Death, New Zealand 2005–2009Cause of DeathNumber:Total2005–2009Number:AnnualAverageRate per100,000Percent ofDeathsNew ZealandNeonatal MortalityExtreme Prematurity 213 42.6 68.11 23.6Congenital Anomalies: CVS 68 13.6 21.74 7.5Congenital Anomalies: CNS 34 6.8 10.87 3.8Congenital Anomalies: Other 131 26.2 41.89 14.5Intrauterine/Birth Asphyxia 46 9.2 14.71 5.1Other Perinatal Conditions 327 65.4 104.56 36.2SUDI: Suffocation/Strangulation in Bed 26 5.2 8.31 2.9SUDI: SIDS/Unspecified 17 3.4 5.44 1.9Injury/Poisoning 10 2.0 3.20 1.1Other Causes 31 6.2 9.91 3.4Total Neonatal Mortality 903 180.6 288.74 100.0Post Neonatal MortalitySUDI: SIDS 174 34.8 55.64 26.1SUDI: Suffocation/Strangulation in Bed 88 17.6 28.14 13.2SUDI: Unspecified 8 1.6 2.56 1.2Congenital Anomalies: CVS 55 11.0 17.59 8.2Congenital Anomalies: CNS 8 1.6 2.56 1.2Congenital Anomalies: Other 57 11.4 18.23 8.5Other Perinatal Conditions 82 16.4 26.22 12.3Injury/Poisoning 21 4.2 6.72 3.1Other Causes 174 34.8 55.64 26.1Total Post Neonatal Mortality 667 133.4 213.28 100.0New Zealand Total 1,570 314.0 502.02 100.0Source: Numerator: National Mortality Collection; Denominator: Birth Registration Dataset; Note: CVS =Cardiovascular system; CNS = Central Nervous SystemInfant Mortality and SUDI - 262