Early Morbidities and Mortality among SGA and AGA Preterm Neonates in South India

Abstract

Introduction: Pre-term birth is the main determinant of neonatal morbidity and mortality with long-term adverse health consequences. Infants born pre-term compared to term infants experience more difficulty with temperature instability, feeding intolerance, blood glucose regulation, jaundice, apnea, respiratory distress (RDS) and sepsis. Aim: To study the early neonatal morbidities of all pre-term neonates admitted in NICU and to know the immediate outcome during their stay. Also to compare rate of early morbidities and mortality among SGA and AGA pre-term neonates. Material and methods: It’s a prospective observational study carried out in a NICU of a Medical college in South India, for a period of 18 months. Preterm babies (less than 37 weeks gestation using Modified Ballard score) divided into SGA and AGA using growth charts. Total 100 preterm babies included of which SGA and AGA were 50 each. Neonates with TTN (Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn), Birth asphyxia, Neonatal sepsis, Hypoglycemia, Hypothermia, Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, Respiratory insufficiency, Feed intolerance were included in present study. Results: Hyperbilirubinemia constituted 61% of morbidities, among which 47.5% are AGA neonates and 52.5% are SGA neonates. 24 newborns presented with sepsis, 15 newborns with feed intolerance. 80 newborns had hypoxia at admission. RDS was commonly seen in AGA neonates when compared to SGA neonates. 6 babies among AGA and 8 among SGA had mortality. One baby was discharged AGAinst medical advice. Conclusion: Most common morbidities among the SGA neonates were sepsis, hyperbilirubinemia, feed intolerance, hypoglycemia, Apnea, PDA, hypoxia. AGA neonates had metabolic disorders and RDS.