Publication:

Clinical profile of neonates with respiratory distress

Background Respiratory distress is defined as tachypnea (respiratory rate>60/min), inter-costal/subcostal retractions/nasal flaring and grunting.

Methods The study was conducted on 1030 neonates with clinical diagnosis of Respiratory distress. Clinical and the demographic information were recorded; gestational age was calculated by LMP/New Bellard method. Severity of distress were assessed by using Silverman and Anderson scoreResults: The common causes of Respiratory distress observed in the study were Hyaline membrane disease 262 (25.44%), followed by birth asphyxia 254 (24.66%), Septicemia/Pneumonia242 (23.50%), meconium aspiration syndrome 73 (7.09%). Others cause of distress were Tracheoesophageal fistula 54 (5.24%), Congenital heart Disease 44 (4.27%), Transient tachypnoea of newborn 43 (4.17%) and others 58 (5.63%). Mortality was 230 (22.33%), mortality rate was directly related to Anderson Silverman scoreConclusions: Hyaline membrane Disease was the commonest cause of respiratory distress followed by Birth asphyxia, Pneumonia, Meconium aspiration syndrome, Tracheo-oesophageal fistula, Transient tachypnea of new-born, congenital heart disease and others. Mortality was highest in Hyaline membrane disease 93 (35.49%) f/d by Birth asphyxia 54 (22.44%), Pneumonia 44 (18.03%), Congenital heart disease 7 (15.90%), Meconium aspiration syndrome 10 (13.69%), Tracheo-oesophageal fistula 10 (18.50).