Mapping neonatal vulnerability using the Small Vulnerable Newborn (SVN) framework—secondary analysis of PRISMA Pakistan studyResearch in context

Summary: Background: Despite progress in global neonatal mortality, South Asia continues to lag behind in reducing neonatal deaths. The Small Vulnerable Newborn (SVN) framework has been proposed to integrate preterm birth (PT), small for gestational age (SGA), and low birth weight. However, there i...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hajra Malik, Nida Yazdani, Sameeta Kumari, Sheikh Asad Jamal, Muhammad Kashif, Azqa Mazhar, Zahra Hoodbhoy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-02-01
Series:The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277236822500006X
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1823859375845933056
author Hajra Malik
Nida Yazdani
Sameeta Kumari
Sheikh Asad Jamal
Muhammad Kashif
Azqa Mazhar
Zahra Hoodbhoy
author_facet Hajra Malik
Nida Yazdani
Sameeta Kumari
Sheikh Asad Jamal
Muhammad Kashif
Azqa Mazhar
Zahra Hoodbhoy
author_sort Hajra Malik
collection DOAJ
description Summary: Background: Despite progress in global neonatal mortality, South Asia continues to lag behind in reducing neonatal deaths. The Small Vulnerable Newborn (SVN) framework has been proposed to integrate preterm birth (PT), small for gestational age (SGA), and low birth weight. However, there is lack of data on the burden and risk factors of SVN in Pakistan, a country which has one of the highest neonatal deaths globally. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of SVN, and identify risk factors among pregnant women in Pakistan. Methods: This secondary analysis leverages data from PRISMA (Pregnancy Risk Infant Surveillance, and Measurement Alliance)—Pakistan. Women presenting ≤20 weeks gestation and, with birth weights recorded within 72 h post-delivery were analysed. Newborns were classified into categories of SVN. Multinomial and binomial regression models were used to examine associations between maternal characteristics and SVN categories, as well as neonatal mortality. Findings: The overall incidence of SVN was 46% (n = 771) with Term + SGA being the most common category (n = 461, 27.5%), followed by PT + AGA (n = 210, 12.5%) and PT + SGA (n = 41, 2.5%). Maternal undernutrition (MUAC <23 cm) increased the risk of SVN by 17% (aRR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05–1.31). SVN also emerged as a significant predictor of neonatal mortality, quadrupling the risk (aRR 4.52, 95% CI 2.42–8.46). Interpretation: This study adds to the growing body of evidence on Pakistan's alarming burden of SVN, with every second newborn at risk. Identification and targeted interventions are imperative to mitigate adverse birth outcomes and optimize child growth and development. Funding: No funding was received for this secondary data analysis.
format Article
id doaj-art-1260b5060a9f49dea9b2dad0ab083824
institution Kabale University
issn 2772-3682
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia
spelling doaj-art-1260b5060a9f49dea9b2dad0ab0838242025-02-11T04:35:39ZengElsevierThe Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia2772-36822025-02-0133100535Mapping neonatal vulnerability using the Small Vulnerable Newborn (SVN) framework—secondary analysis of PRISMA Pakistan studyResearch in contextHajra Malik0Nida Yazdani1Sameeta Kumari2Sheikh Asad Jamal3Muhammad Kashif4Azqa Mazhar5Zahra Hoodbhoy6Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, PakistanDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, PakistanDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, PakistanDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, PakistanDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, PakistanDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, PakistanCorresponding author.; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, PakistanSummary: Background: Despite progress in global neonatal mortality, South Asia continues to lag behind in reducing neonatal deaths. The Small Vulnerable Newborn (SVN) framework has been proposed to integrate preterm birth (PT), small for gestational age (SGA), and low birth weight. However, there is lack of data on the burden and risk factors of SVN in Pakistan, a country which has one of the highest neonatal deaths globally. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of SVN, and identify risk factors among pregnant women in Pakistan. Methods: This secondary analysis leverages data from PRISMA (Pregnancy Risk Infant Surveillance, and Measurement Alliance)—Pakistan. Women presenting ≤20 weeks gestation and, with birth weights recorded within 72 h post-delivery were analysed. Newborns were classified into categories of SVN. Multinomial and binomial regression models were used to examine associations between maternal characteristics and SVN categories, as well as neonatal mortality. Findings: The overall incidence of SVN was 46% (n = 771) with Term + SGA being the most common category (n = 461, 27.5%), followed by PT + AGA (n = 210, 12.5%) and PT + SGA (n = 41, 2.5%). Maternal undernutrition (MUAC <23 cm) increased the risk of SVN by 17% (aRR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05–1.31). SVN also emerged as a significant predictor of neonatal mortality, quadrupling the risk (aRR 4.52, 95% CI 2.42–8.46). Interpretation: This study adds to the growing body of evidence on Pakistan's alarming burden of SVN, with every second newborn at risk. Identification and targeted interventions are imperative to mitigate adverse birth outcomes and optimize child growth and development. Funding: No funding was received for this secondary data analysis.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277236822500006XSmall Vulnerable NewbornsNeonatal mortalityPakistan
spellingShingle Hajra Malik
Nida Yazdani
Sameeta Kumari
Sheikh Asad Jamal
Muhammad Kashif
Azqa Mazhar
Zahra Hoodbhoy
Mapping neonatal vulnerability using the Small Vulnerable Newborn (SVN) framework—secondary analysis of PRISMA Pakistan studyResearch in context
The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia
Small Vulnerable Newborns
Neonatal mortality
Pakistan
title Mapping neonatal vulnerability using the Small Vulnerable Newborn (SVN) framework—secondary analysis of PRISMA Pakistan studyResearch in context
title_full Mapping neonatal vulnerability using the Small Vulnerable Newborn (SVN) framework—secondary analysis of PRISMA Pakistan studyResearch in context
title_fullStr Mapping neonatal vulnerability using the Small Vulnerable Newborn (SVN) framework—secondary analysis of PRISMA Pakistan studyResearch in context
title_full_unstemmed Mapping neonatal vulnerability using the Small Vulnerable Newborn (SVN) framework—secondary analysis of PRISMA Pakistan studyResearch in context
title_short Mapping neonatal vulnerability using the Small Vulnerable Newborn (SVN) framework—secondary analysis of PRISMA Pakistan studyResearch in context
title_sort mapping neonatal vulnerability using the small vulnerable newborn svn framework secondary analysis of prisma pakistan studyresearch in context
topic Small Vulnerable Newborns
Neonatal mortality
Pakistan
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277236822500006X
work_keys_str_mv AT hajramalik mappingneonatalvulnerabilityusingthesmallvulnerablenewbornsvnframeworksecondaryanalysisofprismapakistanstudyresearchincontext
AT nidayazdani mappingneonatalvulnerabilityusingthesmallvulnerablenewbornsvnframeworksecondaryanalysisofprismapakistanstudyresearchincontext
AT sameetakumari mappingneonatalvulnerabilityusingthesmallvulnerablenewbornsvnframeworksecondaryanalysisofprismapakistanstudyresearchincontext
AT sheikhasadjamal mappingneonatalvulnerabilityusingthesmallvulnerablenewbornsvnframeworksecondaryanalysisofprismapakistanstudyresearchincontext
AT muhammadkashif mappingneonatalvulnerabilityusingthesmallvulnerablenewbornsvnframeworksecondaryanalysisofprismapakistanstudyresearchincontext
AT azqamazhar mappingneonatalvulnerabilityusingthesmallvulnerablenewbornsvnframeworksecondaryanalysisofprismapakistanstudyresearchincontext
AT zahrahoodbhoy mappingneonatalvulnerabilityusingthesmallvulnerablenewbornsvnframeworksecondaryanalysisofprismapakistanstudyresearchincontext