Complications of pre-term infants in the neonatal unit

ABSTRACT

To assess the complications of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care unit and compare that with those faced by preterm infants in western neonatal intensive care unit. A prospective comparative study. This study was conducted at Paediatrics Department, Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahorefrom 1[st] December 1997 to 30[th] November 1998. All neonates delivered before 37 weeks and admitted to the neonatal Intensive care unit [NICU, SZH] were included in the study. It was a prospective study conducted over a period of one year from 1[st] December 1997 to 30[th] November 1998. The study population included 170 preterm neonates. For the purpose of study, these infants were divided into three gestational age groups i.e. < 30 weeks gestational age, 30 to 35 weeks gestational age, and > 35 weeks gestational age. These neonates were then prospectively followed till discharge from NICU. Out of the 170 preterm infants admitted to NICU, 128 infants survived and were discharged under stable conditions, while 42 infants expired. Maximum number of complications and highest mortality i.e. 87% was seen among the most premature group, i.e. below 30 weeks gestational age. Mortality in the gestational age group 30 to 35 weeks was 43%, while it was 9% in the gestational group >35 weeks