Publication: Preterm Neonates Admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Medical Association
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Preterm birth, one of the leading causes of admissions to the Neonatal intensive care unit, is a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of premature neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary care centre.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from clinical records of preterm neonates (born before 37 completed weeks of gestation) admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit from 16 July 2020 to 14 July 2021. Following ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 077/78-018), the patient’s clinical characteristics and systemic morbidities were recorded. Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated.
Results: Among 646 admissions, the prevalence of preterm neonates was found to be 147 (22.75%) (19.52-25.98, 95% Confidence Interval). The male: female ratio was 1.53:1. The median gestational age and birth weight were 33 weeks (Range: 24–36 weeks) and 1680 g respectively. A total of 73 (49.65%) delivery was followed by premature rupture of membrane. The morbidity due to respiratory problems was highest at 127 (86.39%), followed by metabolic at 104 (70.74%) and sepsis at 91 (61.90%). The renal system was the least affected 5 (3.40%).
Conclusions: The prevalence of preterm neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit was higher than in other studies done in similar settings.
Description
Yograj Sharma
Department of Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Bharatpur Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal
Om Krishna Pathak
Department of Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Bharatpur Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal
Bipin Poudel
Department of Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Bharatpur Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal
Asmita Sharma
Bharatpur Hospital Nursing Program, Bharatpur Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal
Ram Prasad Sapkota
Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Bharatpur Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal
Kiran Devkota
Department of Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Bharatpur Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal
Keywords
Morbidity, Neonatal, Neonatal intensive care unit, Premature birth