| RESEARCH |
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| Year : 2011 | Volume
: 1
| Issue : 4 | Page : 123-128 |
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Pattern of neonatal morbidity and mortality in LBW neonates: a study from a tertiary care hospital in rural India
Suhas V Patil1, Dhananjay Y Shrikhande1, Gurmit Singh1, Purushottam A Giri2
1 Department of Pediatrics, Rural Medical College, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni, Maharashtra, India
2 Department of Community Medicine, Rural Medical College, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni, Maharashtra, India
Correspondence Address:
Suhas V Patil
Department of Pediatrics, Rural Medical College, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni, Maharashtra
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
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Introduction: LBW continues to remain one of the serious challenges to maternal and child health care with every 3rd born child in India being low birth weight. Hence, it is imperative to monitor birth weights as well as assess the magnitude of neonatal morbidity and mortality and its subsequent causes and predisposing factors in order to prevent it. We conducted a retrospective study at our hospital to assess the morbidity and mortality patterns of LBW neonates and here in present the findings of our study in this paper. Methodology: The present study was conducted at the Pravara Rural Hospital, a tertiary level health care centre in western Maharashtra. Hospital medical records on deliveries and neonatal admissions were reviewed from June 2007 to May 2010. The files of those identified as delivered LBW were reviewed extensively for any morbidity and the cause of death was noted in those deceased. An association between LBW babies and socio-demographic characteristics was evaluated in the form of percentages and chi square test of significance. Results: The occurrence of LBW spectrum in this cohort was 43.1%. A significant association was found between LBW and sex of the neonate (p=0.0001); socioeconomic status (p=0.0001); educational status of mother (p=0.043); gestational age (p<0.0001); maternal weight (p=0.003); utilization of antenatal care (0.024). The infant mortality rate was 35 per 1000 live births Conclusion: Considering the high mortality rate in the rural area with a high cohort of neonates dying from preventable or treatable causes of death like infections, birth asphyxia and hyperbilirubinemia etc., there seems to be an urgent need to define the priorities for LBW baby care services in such backward areas of rural India |
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