Publication:

Pattern of morbidity and mortality of neonates admitted in tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit in Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India

Background The objective of the study was to determine the disease pattern and causes of neonatal mortality in tertiary level neonatal care unit.

Methods Retrospective, analytic and descriptive study, clinical, hospital based. Divisions of neonatology, NMCH, Patna, during January 2012 to December 2015, total 4 year, all neonates less than 28 days were included. Baseline epidemiological clinical data and outcome were recorded in predesigned format.

Results Study comprised of total 4457 neonates’ morbidity pattern showed maximum share of prematurity 1762 cases, sepsis 1157 cases, birth asphyxia 1162 cases, meconium aspiration syndrome 304 cases, congenital malformations 98 cases, neonatal jaundice 614 cases, and 319 IUGR case. Mortality was 1043 cases. Out-born cases 83%, early neonatal mortality was 638 cases. Case fatality for prematurity was 25.93%, birth asphyxia 20.99%, congenital malformations 14.28%, sepsis 17.98% and MAS 15.46%.

Conclusions Prematurity, neonatal sepsis and birth asphyxia are leading causes of neonatal mortality in our study. Interventions to reduce preterm delivery, low birth weight and birth asphyxia should be planned and implemented by health care managers at community level. Mortality is still unacceptably high; improvements in neonatal care at different levels will definitely reduce the neonatal deaths.