Morbidity and Mortality Pattern in NICU of Tertiary Care Hospital: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: Neonatal period is a very vulnerable period of life as it accounts for high morbidity and mortality and most diseases common in neonatal period are preventable. Objective of this study was to analyze the pattern of morbidity and mortality in neonates admitted in NICU of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A retrospective cross sectional study was conducted in Nepal Police Hospital which included neonates admitted in NICU for a period of 2 years. (Jan 2023-Jan 2025). Data on morbidity and mortality were obtained from medical record. Data were analyzed using SPSS(v20). Results: A total of 165 neonates were admitted in a period of 2 years. There was male preponderance with 63.4% admitted cases being male. Majority of neonates were term (88%) and normal birth weight (76.9%). The most common indication for admission was neonatal sepsis (43.6%) which was followed by neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (29.69%) and perinatal asphyxia (5.4%). Conclusion: Neonatal sepsis was leading cause of admission for neonates in NICU. This can be prevented by improvement in antenatal care, training of human resources and better NICU care.