Prevalence of Neonatal Birth Trauma in Iran: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Due to the importance of neonatal health, this study was performed by systematic review and meta-analysis with the aim of determining the prevalence of birth trauma in neonates in Iran. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted according to the PRISMA’s checklist items. This study reviewed the articles published in Iran between 2000 and the beginning of July 2020. In this article, PICO indicators were used. Search in national databases in Iran(Scientific Information Database (SID), Iran Medex, Mag Iran, Iran Doc) and international databases(Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science (ISI), Cinahl, ScienceDirect) with keywords: Infant, Newborn, Birth Injuries, trauma, was done. The search was performed by two researchers. Data were analyzed using CMA software Results: In this systematic review and meta-analysis study the total sample size of neonates in 9 studied articles was 42327 neonates. Also 9 articles had the necessary criteria to enter this systematic review and meta-analysis. Also, the overall prevalence of Neonatal birth trauma is 2.7% (95% CI [1.3, 5.3]), the prevalence of asphyxia in infants is 0.03 % (95% CI [0.02- 0.04]), the prevalence of brachial plexus paralysis is congenital. In infants equal to 0.02% (95% CI [0.01- 0.06]), the prevalence of congenital fracture in infants equal to 0.03% (95% CI [0.01- 0.08]), the prevalence of congenital injury in infants was 0.02% (95% CI [0.00-0.75]) and the prevalence of soft tissue injury at birth in infants was 0.02 % (95% CI [0.02- 0.03]). Conclusion: Due to the high prevalence of birth trauma in infants in Iran, therefore, interventions are recommended to reduce it. Further studies on the factors affecting it need to be done to appropriate interventions to reduce it.