Arbab Ali Junejo, Khurshid Ahmed Abbasi, Ameet Kumar, Abdul Hamid Shaikh.
Disease pattern and outcome in neonatal unit at Children Hospital Chandka Medical College, Larkana.
Pak Paed J Jan ;33(4):238-44.

Objectives: To determine the disease pattern and outcome of neonatal admissions. Design: Descriptive study Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Children Hospital Chandka Medical College (CMC) Larkana from 1st Jan to 31st Dec 2007. Materials and Methods: Data of all neonatal admissions was analyzed for age at admission, sex, weight, gestational age, reason for admission and outcome. Calculations were performed with statistical software package SPSS (15v). P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: A total of 1973 neonates were admitted during study period. Majority of the patients [1208 (61.5%)] were brought in 1st 24hours of life. Majority of these [1383 (70%)] were males. Mean weight was 2.38 + .89. Almost half [947 (49.4%)] were low birth weight. 1697 (86%) were full term. Commonest reason for admission was birth asphyxia 982 (49.8%), other common reasons were neonatal infections in 507 (25.7%) cases and prematurity / Low Birth Weight (LBW) in 378 (19.15%) cases. Other reasons for admission were: neonatal jaundice 57 (2.9%), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) 3 (0.15), meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) 26 (1.3%) congenital anomalies 20(1.01%), haemorrhagic disease of newborn 9 (.6%) and infant of diabetic mother 7 (.3%). Majority of patients [834 (42.2%)] were discharged, 686 (34.8%) Expired and 553 (23%) left against medical advise (LAMA). Conclusion: Birth asphyxia, neonatal infection, prematurity / low birth weight were main reasons for admission as well as deaths and majority improved. Proper antenatal care and early referral of complicated pregnancies to tertiary care hospital and provision of neonatal intensive care facilities are necessary for decreasing morbidity and mortality in neonates.

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