Title: A one year review of clinical profile and treatment outcomes of neonates admitted to Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) at Regional hospital in Himachal Pradesh draining a rural area

Authors: Dr Swati Mahajan, Dr Mohit Bajaj, Dr Ajay Vaid, Dr Amar Thakur

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i8.40

Abstract

Background: Neonatal period is very important and precious period because most of the preventable morbidities and mortalities occur in this period. In our country, prematurity, infection and perinatal asphyxia are three major causes for neonatal mortality. Special Neonatal Care Units (SNCUs) have been established at district hospitals to combat this challenge.

Methods: This observational retrospective study was planned to determine the clinical profile and outcome of various neonatal admissions at SNCU, Regional Hospital Kullu, a hospital mainly serving the rural population. The data was collected for a time period of one year from 01/08/2018 to 31/07/2019. Detailed information was collected from files and registered onto the preset proformas and results were compiled and evaluated on master chart.

Results: A total of 764 neonates were included in this study. Out of them 472(61.7%) were inborn and 292(38.3%) were   outborn admitted from emergency/OPD or referred from adjoining area. There were 447 males and 317 females with male to female ratio of 1.4:1 and 341(44.7%) of total admissions were full term. Major indications for admission were neonatal jaundice [379(53.3%], prematurity [239(31.28%)] and sepsis [83(10.86%)]. The range of hospital stay was from 1 day to 15 days with average hospital stay of 1to3 days. Mortality rate was 3% during this period and main cause of mortality was RDS and prematurity.

Conclusion: Neonatal period is a very crucial period for development of morbidity and mortality. SNCUs with skilled staff can prevent the worst outcomes by early interventions.

Keywords: SNCU, Neonate, Morbidity, Mortality, Outcome.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Mohit Bajaj Pediatrician

Address: House no. 58/A, ward no. 2, Shamshi, P.O Shamshi, Distt. Kullu (H.P.), India