Abstract

Objective: To determine the pattern and maternal determinants of neonatal morbidity in Neonatal ICU patients admitted in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Rawalpindi city
Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among morbid neonates admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Holy Family Hospital and Benazir Bhutto Hospital affiliated with Rawalpindi Medical University. A total of 240 alive newborn babies admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Holy Family and Benazir Bhutto Hospital during 25th March to 2nd April 2019 were enrolled in this study through consecutive sampling technique. The data was gathered by means of a semi-structured questionnaire pertinent to gestational age, birth weight, maternal age, mode of delivery, antenatal visits, maternal anemia, maternal obstetric history and pattern of neonatal morbidity.
Results: Mean birth weight of neonates was calculated to be 2.1kg ±0.80. About 120 neonates each from Holy Family and Benazir Bhutto Hospital were included in this study. About 51.7% neonates had low birth weight and 26.7% had very low birth weight. Congenital malformations were observed in 6.7% neonates. Preterm babies constituted 63.3%. Majority (48.3%) of the mothers was 26-30 years of age and 76.7% mothers were administered tetanus toxoid during pregnancy. About 20% mothers had less than 3 antenatal visits. Hemoglobin level of 40% mothers was below 9 gm/dl. About 82% preterm neonates were admitted in ICU with severe infections.
Conclusion: Preterm neonates were found to be more asphyxiated, low birth weight, infectious and jaundiced as compared to full term delivered babies. Maternal anemia should be adequately managed for betterment of our neonates.

Key words: Neonatal ICU, maternal anemia, preterm neonates, tetanus toxoid, low birth weight.