Short Term Outcome of Preterm Neonates in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Costal Karnataka

Abstract

Background: Preterm birth is a major cause of death and a significant cause of long-term morbidity around the world. Complications of preterm birth are the single largest direct cause of neonatal deaths, responsible for 35% of the world's 3.1 million deaths a year, and the second most common cause of under -5 deaths after pneumonia. India ranks first among the 10 countries which account for 60% of the world's preterm births. There is a relative dearth of studies on short term outcomes of the preterm infants in Indian literature. The aim of this study is to find the preterm outcome in terms of morbidity & mortality. Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study done in a tertiary hospital in south Karnataka. A sample size of minimum of 150 preterm babies (<37 completed weeks) was selected using purposive sampling technique. Multiple gestation and babies with major as well as life threatening congenital anomalies were excluded. Preterm care was given as per standard NICU protocol of the hospital. The neonates were assessed daily for signs and symptoms of prematurity complications. The day of onset of symptoms, their duration, appropriate therapeutic intervention done, and time of symptom resolution or poor neonatal outcome (including death) was recorded up to discharge or till 1 month of admission, whichever is earlier. Results: Most of the babies were late preterm, while 13.3% and 16.7% were moderate to very, respectively. About 8.7% of the babies required resuscitation at birth with 2% requiring intubation. Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia was seen in 66.7%, hypoglycemia in 3.3%, and respiratory distress in 17.3% of the babies. Probable sepsis was seen in 8% of babies while culture proven sepsis was seen in 1.3%. Mortality was 8%. Conclusion: This study shows morbidities more in terms of metabolic, namely hypoglycemia and hyperbilirubinemia. Sepsis, RDS, NEC was comparatively low. Mortality was in line with the global statistics. But we still intend to institute adequate antenatal and postnatal care to improve the outcome quality in premature babies.