Morbidity pattern of sick hospitalized preterm infants in Karachi, Pakistan.

Abstract

Despite recent advances, prematurity is associated with high morbidity and mortality in developing countries. We conducted a descriptive case series to identify frequency of various morbidities in premature neonates at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, from November 2008 to April 2009. All inborn premature < or = 37 weeks gestation were included in study. The frequency of preterm birth during study period was 13.3% (251/1885) of which 58% (n = 145) required admission in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Mean gestational age was 33 +/- 2.4 weeks and mean birth weight, was 1.88 +/- 0.5 kg. 25% of patients were small for gestational age (SGA) while 75% appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Metabolic derangement was the most common morbidity, observed in 93% of patients followed by sepsis, seen in 43.6% neonates. Respiratory distress syndrome was observed in 35.5% of neonates while intraventricular haemorrhage was seen only in 3.5% patients. Mean length of stay for preterm infants in NICU was 11.5 +/- 9.6 days, 14% (n = 20) preterm neonates expired during NICU stay.

• Authors: Muhammad Rehan Khan, Prem Kumar Maheshwari, Huma Shamim, Shakeel Ahmed, Syed Rehan Ali
• Journal: JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association (J Pak Med Assoc) Vol. 62 Issue 4 Pg. 386-8 (Apr 2012) ISSN: 0030-9982 [Print] Pakistan
• PMID: 22755286 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Cohort Studies
• Female
• Hospitalization
• Humans
• Infant, Low Birth Weight
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Premature
• Infant, Premature, Diseases (epidemiology)
• Intensive Care, Neonatal
• Male
• Pakistan