Low-tech, high impact: care for premature neonates in a district hospital in Burundi. A way forward to decrease neonatal mortality.

Background: Death among premature neonates contributes significantly to neonatal mortality which in turn represents approximately 40% of paediatric mortality. Care for premature neonates is usually provided at the tertiary care level, and premature infants in rural areas often remain bereft of care. Here, we describe the characteristics and outcomes of premature neonates admitted to neonatal services in a district hospital in rural Burundi that also provided comprehensive emergency obstetric care.

A cross-sectional study of indications for cesarean deliveries in Médecins Sans Frontières facilities across 17 countries.

Objective: To review the major indications for cesareans performed by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) personnel from the Operational Center Brussels.

Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken of all singleton cesarean deliveries from 2008-2012 for which indications were recorded. Location of project, age of patient, type of anesthesia, and duration of operation were also recorded.