Abstract

Reducing neonatal mortality is a global challenge. The aim of this study was to determine predictors of mortality in patients with neonatal pneumonia. The study was a retrospective cohort study conducted in Peruvian hospitals from January 2014 to April 2022 and also included neonates diagnosed with pneumonia. A Cox proportional regression model was used to find predictors of mortality. We studied 288 neonates with pneumonia. Her mean birth weight was 3,270 g and her mean hospital stay was 7 days. At follow-up, 18.4% did not survive, with the most common complications being jaundice (35.42%). The most frequently isolated bacterium was Klebsiella pneumoniae. A risk factor associated with higher mortality was preterm birth platelets <150,00 creatinine >1.10, septic shock and inclusion in IMV whereas breastfeeding was associated with a lower risk of death. In summary, we report high mortality, clinical features (prematurity, septic shock, inclusion in IMV) and laboratory features (elevated creatinine and platelets) associated with high mortality in neonatal pneumonia patients. Breastfeeding was a factor associated with survival in these patients