Current Pediatric Research

Background and objectives: Preterm birth is a major cause of death and a significant cause of longterm 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 accounts for 60% of the worlds 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 outcome of preterms in terms of morbidity & mortality. Materials and 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 was assessed daily for signs and symptoms of complications of prematurity. The day of onset of symptoms, duration, appropriate therapeutic intervention done & time for resolution of symptoms or poor neonatal outcome (including death) was recorded upto 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 preterm respectively. About 8.7% babies required resuscitation at birth with 2% requiring intubation. Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia was seen in 66.7% babies. Hypoglycemia was seen in 3.3% babies. Respiratory distress was seen in 17.3% babies. Probable sepsis was seen in 8% babies while culture proven sepsis was seen in 1.3% babies. Mortality was 8%. Conclusion: This study shows morbidities more in terms of metabolic issues 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 quality of outcome of premature babies.
Author(s): Avinash Singraiah, Irshad Abdul Majeed

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