Statistical study of preterm infants admitted to NICU in Fawzy Moaz Hospital for children

ABSTRACT

Prematurity is a major health problem and a leading cause of neonatal mortality. Prematurity is defined as gestational age less than 37 weeks of gestation measured form the first day of the last normal menstrual period. The aim of the present work is to detect premature problems, incidence of premature and incidence of neonatal deaths in neonatal intensive care unit [NICU] in Fawzy Moaz pediatric hospital in Alexandria [Egypt] through one year [October 1999-October 2000]. Data were collected retrospectively from Healthy Mother/Healthy Child files in the NICU. Sample size included 480 neonates [106<37 weeks]. Results revealed that 22.1% of cases admitted in the NICU were prematures. Among those 51.9% were females, 75.5% were >/= 32 weeks and 62.3% weighed >/= 1500 gm. Deaths constituted 48% of admitted preterms. Premature death was significantly higher among those less than 32 weeks [80.8%] and less than 1500 gm [60%]. Hyperbilirubinemia was the first cause of admission [28.4%]. Premature admission and death rate were high. Better antenatal care coverage for pregnant women and continuous training of neonatologists is needed for more accurate assessment and management of premature cases