Morbidity and Mortality among Neonates Admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Hospital
Nikhil Chandrakant Kadu, Satish Tiwari, Pratibha Vinay Kale
A
BSTRACT
Background:
Neonatal morbidity and mortality remain major public health concerns, particularly in developing countries. Understanding the clinical profile and outcomes of neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is essential for improving neonatal survival.
Objectives:
To study the morbidity and mortality patterns among neonates admitted to the NICU of a tertiary care hospital and to identify the factors associated with adverse outcomes.
Materials and Methods:
This hospital-based, observational study was conducted over 18 months in the NICU of a tertiary care hospital. A total of 236 neonates admitted during the study period were included using convenience sampling. Data regarding demographic details, clinical profile, laboratory parameters, diagnosis, and outcomes were collected using a structured pro forma.
Results:
Of the 236 neonates, 91.5% were discharged successfully, while the mortality rate was 4.2%. Prematurity was the leading cause of mortality, followed by respiratory distress syndrome and birth asphyxia. Neonates who died had significantly lower gestational age and showed abnormal clinical and laboratory parameters, including higher heart rate, respiratory rate, total leukocyte count, C-reactive protein levels, lower platelet counts, and prolonged capillary refill time (
Conclusion:
Prematurity and sepsis-related complications were the major determinants of neonatal mortality. Early identification of high-risk neonates using simple clinical indicators and laboratory markers, along with timely and standardized neonatal care, can significantly improve the outcomes and reduce preventable neonatal deaths.