Clinical Profile and Outcome of Neonates Admitted to a Secondary-Level Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in North India

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a secondary-level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods:A total of 336 neonates were enrolled in the study. Their clinical profiles at admission and final outcomes were recorded in a predesigned pro forma.Results: Hyperbilirubinemia, sepsis, and perinatal asphyxia were the most common reasons for admission. Eighty-five percentage of the neonates could be managed in secondary-level newborn unit with comparable mortality and mortality to a tertiary-level newborn care unit. Conclusion:Strengthening of secondary newborn care units is a viable option that will help to decrease the burden of tertiary-level NICUs.

Clinical Profile and Outcomes of Neonates Admitted to SNCU Catering Difficult Area in Sub Himalayan Region

“…[9,12] It indicates that neonatal low birth weight and pre-term deliveries are one of the common indications for SNCU admission. Neonatal jaundice (53.3%), respiratory distress (22.8%) and sepsis (19.4%)%) were the major reasons for admission in accordance to study by Yusuf et al [13] While, Modi and Kirubakaran [9] reported the sepsis (23.7%), asphyxia (5.3%), pre-term delivery (14.2%) and jaundice (13.4%) as the major reasons for admission. [13,14] Sepsis was found more in out born babies (16,27.1% of total out born babies) compared to inborn ones (4, 8.6% of total inborn).…”

“…Neonatal jaundice (53.3%), respiratory distress (22.8%) and sepsis (19.4%)%) were the major reasons for admission in accordance to study by Yusuf et al [13] While, Modi and Kirubakaran [9] reported the sepsis (23.7%), asphyxia (5.3%), pre-term delivery (14.2%) and jaundice (13.4%) as the major reasons for admission. [13,14] Sepsis was found more in out born babies (16,27.1% of total out born babies) compared to inborn ones (4, 8.6% of total inborn). This indicates unhygienic deliveries either by unskilled person at septic places or baby's exposure to infections during transport or referral.…”