Predictors of mortality among neonates transported to tertiary care centre

ABSTRACT

Background: The neonatal transport in India has taken a giant leap in last years. For reducing the death among transported newborns, transport in well-equipped ambulance could play a vital role. As there is not much data available in Punjab on neonates being transported to tertiary care center so the present study was conducted to know the predictors of mortality in newborns transported to tertiary care center.Methods: The present study was an observational study conducted in neonatal intensive care unit of department of Pediatrics at SGRD institute of medical science and research, Amritsar, Punjab, India over a period of 18 months from 1st January 2017 to 30th June 2018. Total 121 neonates were enrolled in the study. History and clinical examination were done at the time of admission and the various study variables were statistically analysed.Results: Out of total 121 neonates, 76 were discharged, 12 expired and 33 left against medical advice. Mortality rate was 9.9%. Mortality was higher in neonates who had hypothermia, hypoglycemia, poor perfusion and bradycardia at the time of admission. Neonates with extremely low birth weight (<1 kg) and those admitted after 6 hours of age also had higher mortality.Conclusions: Predictors of mortality were hypothermia, hypoglycaemia, poor perfusion and bradycardia at the time of admission. New-borns require special care for stabilization before and during transport, which can be achieved by using specially equipped neonatal ambulances. So, these neonatal ambulances should be started in all states to decrease the neonatal mortality rate.