Neonatal Mortality Due to Early-Onset Sepsis in Eastern Europe: A Review of Current Monitoring Protocols During Pregnancy and Maternal Demographics in Eastern Europe, with an Emphasis on Romania—Comparison with Data Extracted from a Secondary Center in Southern Romania
Neonatal mortality, particularly due to early-onset sepsis (EOS), remains a pressing issue in Eastern Europe, with Romania experiencing one of the highest neonatal mortality rates in the European Union. EOS, caused by bacterial infections within the first 72 h of life, significantly contributes to n...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| author | Anca Vulcănescu Mirela-Anișoara Siminel Sorin-Nicolae Dinescu Anda-Lorena Dijmărescu Maria-Magdalena Manolea Sidonia-Maria Săndulescu |
| author_facet | Anca Vulcănescu Mirela-Anișoara Siminel Sorin-Nicolae Dinescu Anda-Lorena Dijmărescu Maria-Magdalena Manolea Sidonia-Maria Săndulescu |
| author_sort | Anca Vulcănescu |
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| description | Neonatal mortality, particularly due to early-onset sepsis (EOS), remains a pressing issue in Eastern Europe, with Romania experiencing one of the highest neonatal mortality rates in the European Union. EOS, caused by bacterial infections within the first 72 h of life, significantly contributes to neonatal deaths, particularly in rural and underserved areas where healthcare resources are limited. Disparities in prenatal care access, maternal demographics, and systemic healthcare gaps worsen this issue, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions. Objectives: This review aims to examine the prevalence of neonatal mortality due to EOS in Romania and the broader Eastern European context, focusing on current prenatal care monitoring protocols and maternal demographics, and comparing the available literature with new data. By evaluating disparities in healthcare access, costs, and outcomes, this study identifies systemic barriers to maternal and neonatal care. Methods: A systematic review of 100 articles was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Key sources included PubMed, Google Scholar, and open-access journals, with 25 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. The analysis encompassed maternal age, parity, literacy levels, marital status, and their impact on neonatal outcomes, alongside the financial burden of prenatal care. Results: The findings underscore stark inequalities in healthcare delivery between rural and urban regions, where limited prenatal visits, out-of-pocket costs, and cultural barriers hinder prompt EOS prevention and management. Advanced maternal age, low literacy, and socioeconomic disparities were identified as critical risk factors. Conclusions: To reduce neonatal mortality due to EOS, targeted efforts must address healthcare accessibility, improve prenatal care protocols, and integrate culturally sensitive practices. These interventions can bridge systemic gaps and promote equitable health outcomes for mothers and newborns across Eastern Europe. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6732901c6fd943edb1433b1b37fdf861 |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-6732901c6fd943edb1433b1b37fdf8612025-08-20T03:43:36ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-03-0112335410.3390/children12030354Neonatal Mortality Due to Early-Onset Sepsis in Eastern Europe: A Review of Current Monitoring Protocols During Pregnancy and Maternal Demographics in Eastern Europe, with an Emphasis on Romania—Comparison with Data Extracted from a Secondary Center in Southern RomaniaAnca Vulcănescu0Mirela-Anișoara Siminel1Sorin-Nicolae Dinescu2Anda-Lorena Dijmărescu3Maria-Magdalena Manolea4Sidonia-Maria Săndulescu5“Filantropia” Clinical Municipal Hospital, 200143 Craiova, Romania“Filantropia” Clinical Municipal Hospital, 200143 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Epidemiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania“Filantropia” Clinical Municipal Hospital, 200143 Craiova, Romania“Filantropia” Clinical Municipal Hospital, 200143 Craiova, Romania“Filantropia” Clinical Municipal Hospital, 200143 Craiova, RomaniaNeonatal mortality, particularly due to early-onset sepsis (EOS), remains a pressing issue in Eastern Europe, with Romania experiencing one of the highest neonatal mortality rates in the European Union. EOS, caused by bacterial infections within the first 72 h of life, significantly contributes to neonatal deaths, particularly in rural and underserved areas where healthcare resources are limited. Disparities in prenatal care access, maternal demographics, and systemic healthcare gaps worsen this issue, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions. Objectives: This review aims to examine the prevalence of neonatal mortality due to EOS in Romania and the broader Eastern European context, focusing on current prenatal care monitoring protocols and maternal demographics, and comparing the available literature with new data. By evaluating disparities in healthcare access, costs, and outcomes, this study identifies systemic barriers to maternal and neonatal care. Methods: A systematic review of 100 articles was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Key sources included PubMed, Google Scholar, and open-access journals, with 25 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. The analysis encompassed maternal age, parity, literacy levels, marital status, and their impact on neonatal outcomes, alongside the financial burden of prenatal care. Results: The findings underscore stark inequalities in healthcare delivery between rural and urban regions, where limited prenatal visits, out-of-pocket costs, and cultural barriers hinder prompt EOS prevention and management. Advanced maternal age, low literacy, and socioeconomic disparities were identified as critical risk factors. Conclusions: To reduce neonatal mortality due to EOS, targeted efforts must address healthcare accessibility, improve prenatal care protocols, and integrate culturally sensitive practices. These interventions can bridge systemic gaps and promote equitable health outcomes for mothers and newborns across Eastern Europe.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/354neonatal mortalitymaternal demographicsmonitoring protocolsEastern Europe |
| spellingShingle | Anca Vulcănescu Mirela-Anișoara Siminel Sorin-Nicolae Dinescu Anda-Lorena Dijmărescu Maria-Magdalena Manolea Sidonia-Maria Săndulescu Neonatal Mortality Due to Early-Onset Sepsis in Eastern Europe: A Review of Current Monitoring Protocols During Pregnancy and Maternal Demographics in Eastern Europe, with an Emphasis on Romania—Comparison with Data Extracted from a Secondary Center in Southern Romania Children neonatal mortality maternal demographics monitoring protocols Eastern Europe |
| title | Neonatal Mortality Due to Early-Onset Sepsis in Eastern Europe: A Review of Current Monitoring Protocols During Pregnancy and Maternal Demographics in Eastern Europe, with an Emphasis on Romania—Comparison with Data Extracted from a Secondary Center in Southern Romania |
| title_full | Neonatal Mortality Due to Early-Onset Sepsis in Eastern Europe: A Review of Current Monitoring Protocols During Pregnancy and Maternal Demographics in Eastern Europe, with an Emphasis on Romania—Comparison with Data Extracted from a Secondary Center in Southern Romania |
| title_fullStr | Neonatal Mortality Due to Early-Onset Sepsis in Eastern Europe: A Review of Current Monitoring Protocols During Pregnancy and Maternal Demographics in Eastern Europe, with an Emphasis on Romania—Comparison with Data Extracted from a Secondary Center in Southern Romania |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neonatal Mortality Due to Early-Onset Sepsis in Eastern Europe: A Review of Current Monitoring Protocols During Pregnancy and Maternal Demographics in Eastern Europe, with an Emphasis on Romania—Comparison with Data Extracted from a Secondary Center in Southern Romania |
| title_short | Neonatal Mortality Due to Early-Onset Sepsis in Eastern Europe: A Review of Current Monitoring Protocols During Pregnancy and Maternal Demographics in Eastern Europe, with an Emphasis on Romania—Comparison with Data Extracted from a Secondary Center in Southern Romania |
| title_sort | neonatal mortality due to early onset sepsis in eastern europe a review of current monitoring protocols during pregnancy and maternal demographics in eastern europe with an emphasis on romania comparison with data extracted from a secondary center in southern romania |
| topic | neonatal mortality maternal demographics monitoring protocols Eastern Europe |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/354 |
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