Determinants of Mortality in Preterm Newborns Admitted in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Findings from a Tertiary Level Maternity Hospital in Nepal

Authors

  • Shailendra Bir Karmacharya Department of Paediatrics, Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Maternity Hospital Road, Thapathali, Kathmandu - 44600, Nepal
  • Kalpana Upadhyaya Subedi Department of Paediatrics, Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Maternity Hospital Road, Thapathali, Kathmandu - 44600, Nepal
  • Sumit Agrawal Kanti Children’s Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu – 44600, Nepal
  • Noora Pradhan Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, BP Highway, Panauti – 45209, Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchok, Nepal
  • Ritesh Barnwal Department of Paediatrics, Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Maternity Hospital Road, Thapathali, Kathmandu - 44600, Nepal
  • Prajwal Paudel 1Department of Paediatrics, Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Maternity Hospital Road, Thapathali, Kathmandu - 44600, Nepal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v42i1.39957

Keywords:

Mortality, NICU, Preterm

Abstract

Introduction: Prematurity is a major cause of admission in the NICU in most hospitals. Premature babies are likely to face complications. Understanding the factors contributing to preterm mortality is needed to identify interventions required to reduce neonatal mortality rate. This study aims to determine the causes of mortality in preterm babies.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal. All the preterm babies admitted in the sick newborn units were included. Descriptive statistics were performed using frequency and percentage. The bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the causes of mortality in preterm.

Results: Total 205 (71.4%) admitted preterm babies had complications at the time of admission. LBW babies were three times more likely to have mortality among preterm admission (p – value < 0.0001). Co-morbidities such as sepsis (p - value < 0.05) and perinatal asphyxia (p – value < 0.0001) were significantly associated with preterm mortality. The duration of stay among preterm babies was higher compared to term babies. The mortality rate was higher among preterm admission compared to term admission (60% vs 40%).

Conclusions: Preterm babies with LBW, neonatal sepsis and perinatal asphyxia are at greater risk of mortality. Improved antenatal and perinatal care, quality newborn care and appropriate infection prevention measures can help reduce preterm birth, prematurity related complications and mortality among these vulnerable group of newborns.

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Published

2022-11-27

How to Cite

Karmacharya, S. B. ., Upadhyaya Subedi, K. ., Agrawal, S., Pradhan, N. ., Barnwal, R., & Paudel, P. (2022). Determinants of Mortality in Preterm Newborns Admitted in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Findings from a Tertiary Level Maternity Hospital in Nepal. Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society, 42(1), 33–38. https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v42i1.39957

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Shailendra Bir Karmacharya, Kalpana Upadhyaya Subedi, Sumit Agrawal, Noora Pradhan, Ritesh Barnwal, Prajwal Paudel

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