Publication:

Outcome of neonatal ventilation: a prospective and cross-sectional study in tertiary care centre

Background Neonatal mortality accounts for nearly two thirds of infant mortality and half of under 5 mortalities in India. It is possible to increase neonatal survival and improve the quality of life only through prompt and adequate management of critically ill newborn. Mechanical ventilation has become a must to enhance neonatal survival and is an essential component of neonatal intensive care.

Methods Hospital based prospective, cross-sectional study from 1st July 2012 to 30th June 2013. All NICU admitted neonate requiring mechanical ventilation were included. It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of a prospective data.

Results Indication of mechanical ventilation: Out of 72 neonates studied, majority of preterm were ventilated for RDS - 34 (89.5%) and majority of Full term were ventilated for MAS - 16 (100%) followed by HIE - 8 (88.89%). Out of 38 RDS cases, 30 (79%) were ventilated till 4-7 days duration and 3 (7.9%) required ventilation for >10 days. Out of 16 MAS cases, 10 (62.5%) were ventilated for 4-7 days duration and none required prolonged ventilation. Duration of ventilation is not statistically associated with indication of mechanical ventilation with p=0.301.

Conclusions Mechanical and Pulmonary complications of mechanical ventilation are not statistically significant for outcome of mechanical ventilation but it increases length of NICU stay. Hypotension on ventilator, requirement of more than 3 ionotropes were associated with high mortality.