Morbidity Pattern and Immediate Outcome of Preterm Neonates Admitted to the NICU of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India: A Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Evaluating morbidity patterns and outcomes is crucial, as it provides insight into the specific health challenges faced by preterm neonates. Such data are essential for the careful tailoring of healthcare interventions and the judicious allocation of resources. Aim: To investigate the morbidity patterns and immediate outcomes of preterm neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a tertiary care hospital in central India. Materials and Methods: The present prospective cohort study was conducted in the NICU of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Mayo Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, Central India, from May 2022 to April 2024. A total of 198 inborn preterm neonates admitted during the study period were included. Detailed antenatal histories, maternal risk factors, and natal histories were recorded. Gestational age was assessed using the New Ballard Score, and indications for NICU admission were documented. The collected data were entered into a Microsoft Excel worksheet, and results were presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: Of the 198 preterm neonates enrolled, 78 (39.40%) were classified as moderate preterm. The most prevalent maternal risk factor associated with preterm birth was anaemia, affecting 136 mothers (68.69%). The most common clinical presentation at admission was respiratory distress, observed in 176 neonates (88.89%), followed by seizures in 24 (12.12%). The most frequent morbidity was early-onset sepsis, present in 151 neonates (76.26%), followed by neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in 123 (62.12%). Of the total 198 preterm neonates admitted, 167 (84.34%) survived and were discharged, while 31 died, resulting in a mortality rate of 15.66%. Conclusion: Early-onset sepsis was the most common morbidity observed among preterm neonates, followed by neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia. Morbidities such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular haemorrhage, and necrotising enterocolitis showed significant associations with higher mortality rates.