Morbidity and mortality profile of neonates admitted in neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Arunachal Pradesh, India: a six-year retrospective study

Background: The risk of mortality is highest in neonatal period. Every day about 6500 neonates die due to lack of quality neonatal care. Knowledge about spectrum of neonatal morbidity and mortality helps in management of neonatal conditions and diseases which will reduce neonatal mortality rate further. The aim of this study was to determine the causes of morbidity and mortality in neonates admitted in our hospital. Methods: This study was conducted at level III NICU of Rama Krishna Mission Hospital, Itanagar. This is a retrospective descriptive study. Data of neonates admitted in NICU from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2023 were extracted from admission, discharge register and case record sheet. Data were compiled, tabulated and Statistical analysis was done. Results: During the study period a total of 2121 neonates were admitted in the NICU, 58.9% were male and 41.1% were females. 54.9% were inborn and 45.1% were outborn. The major causes of admission to NICU were observed to be neonatal jaundice (34.1%), neonatal sepsis (20.8%) and birth asphyxia (12.7%). Mortality during the study was found to be 5.7%. Prematurity with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) (36.7%) was the most common cause of mortality followed by Neonatal sepsis (20.8%) and Birth asphyxia (17.5%). Highest number of death occurred within 7 days of life (82.5%). Mortality was more in inborn babies (68.3%). Conclusions: RDS, Neonatal sepsis and birth asphyxia are the common cause of mortality. Improving maternal health, antenatal care, postnatal care, timely intervention, capacity building and good connectivity will help reduce neonatal mortality.