Understanding geographical inequalities in neonatal mortality
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Addressing geographical inequalities in neonatal mortality using routine data
IRAS ID
311064
Contact name
Samira Saberian
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 9 months, 29 days
Research summary
There has been a rise in infant mortality rates since 2014, especially in disadvantaged areas such as Liverpool. One suspected driver of this rise is thought to be due to an increase of deaths of babies within 28 days of life (neonatal period). However, even within in the North West of England, there are variations in the neonatal mortality rate. Socio-economic inequalities in neonatal mortality have been observed nationally, however previous studies that have investigated potential factors that may affect the relationship has been limited.
It is estimated that in one year, there was an excess of over 200 neonatal deaths associated with deprivation in the UK. With the ever-growing financial crises many families are facing, there is a risk of further adverse outcomes associated with deprivation. As a result of this concern and limited insight from previous research, local service providers and policy makers have identified a need to understand to what extent the observed trends can be explained by maternal and pregnancy-related characteristics and wider societal circumstances of the population.
At the University of Liverpool, in collaboration with clinical experts, we will use individual level data from the National Neonatal Research Database (NNRD) to assess the inequalities in neonatal mortality. The data we are requesting from the NNRD is data already collected by individual neonatal units. We will be requesting data between 2012 and 2020 in order to be able calculate and compare neonatal mortality rates for each neonatal network in England and Wales, with a specific focus on individual units in the North West. Neonatal mortality rates will be calculated over time to assess for patterns as well as by area level deprivation measures. We will also account for other factors, which may affect the relationship between deprivation and risk of neonatal death.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0069
Date of REC Opinion
2 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion