Neonatal outcome in the United Arab Emirates: the effect of changes in resources and practices.

Selective improvements in neonatal care resources and practices were instituted between 1992/1994 (period 1) and 1995/1998 (period 2) following a neonatal audit in the United Arab Emirates. We evaluated the effect of these changes on neonatal mortality rate (NNMR), birth-weight-specific mortality rates and causes of mortality. Overall there was a 17% decline in the NNMR from periods 1 to 2. Mortality rates in infants with birth weight < 1000 g and > 2500 g decreased by 36% and 35% respectively from periods 1 to 2. Modest declines in deaths from asphyxia, sepsis and complications of preterm births occurred from periods 1 to 2 but the differences were not statistically significant.