CLINICAL PROFILE AND SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES OF NEONATES WITH CONGENITAL ANOMALIES ADMITTED TO A LEVEL 3 TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY.

Conclusion:Neonates with congenital anomalies exhibit diverse clinical profiles with VLBW and prematurity strongly influencing mortality.Congenital anomalies are a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Evaluating their clinical profiles and short-term outcomes is essential for guiding management and improving survival. Objectives:To describe the clinical characteristics, types of anomalies, early outcomes, and factors associated with adverse outcomes among neonates with congenital anomalies in a level 3 tertiary care center. Methodology:A retrospective cohort study was conducted at BJMC in year 2024. Neonates with structural or chromosomal anomalies were included; those with incomplete records, stillbirths, or loss to follow-up were excluded. Results:Eighty-three neonates were included (61.4% males); 37.3% were preterm, 8.4% had very low birth weight (VLBW), and the mean birth weight was 2416.5±612.2 g. Frequent anomaly groups included cleft lip/palate (12.0%), cardiac anomalies (e.g., VSD, 8.4%), and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (7.2%). Surgical intervention was required by 18.1% of neonates. Antenatal scanning was performed 89.2%, with 35 scans (42.2%) accurately correlating to postnatal diagnoses, while 39 scans (47.0%) missed anomalies later detected at birth. Overall mortality was 14.5%, with VLBW (41.7% mortality p<0.0001) and prematurity (50% vs. 32.4% of survivors, p=0.025) significantly linked to higher risk of death. Of the survivors, 56.6% were discharged, 27.7% left against medical advice, and 1.2% were transferred out. Mean antibiotic duration was 6.1±5.8 days, and the average hospital stay was 9.3±8.0 days.