Prevalence and determinants of early neonatal morbidity among neonates born in a rural tertiary care hospital, West Bengal

Background: The first 7 days of life, known as the early neonatal period, is a crucial period where there is increased vulnerability to neonatal complications. Most (75%) of the neonatal deaths occur during the early neonatal period. About 1 million neonates die within the first 24 h of life worldwide. The leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality include premature births, low birth weight (LBW), birth complications, such as asphyxia, trauma, neonatal sepsis, and congenital anomalies. Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted from July 2024, to December 2024, to estimate the prevalence of early neonatal morbidity of neonates born in Bankura Sammilani Medical College and to analyze the significance of the risk factors of early neonatal morbidity. Materials and Methods: An institution-based, observational study was conducted among 300 neonates born in Bankura Sammilani Medical College within the first 7 days. Mothers were interviewed face to face on the basis of a pre-designed, pre-tested, structured questionnaire, and all medical records were reviewed. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to ascertain adjusted odds ratios of sociodemographic, maternal, and neonatal variables on early neonatal morbidities. Results: Early neonatal morbidity was evident among 21.3% of newborns born in Bankura Sammilani Medical College. Common morbidities found were respiratory distress (6.0%), asphyxia (5.0%), sepsis and jaundice (4.7%). LBW babies had 2.92 times higher odds (P<0.001) and babies who did not cry at birth had 22.61 times higher odds of early neonatal morbidities. Conclusion: Early neonatal morbidity is high in our setting, with LBW and absent cry being significant predictors. This study extensively assessed the role of various predictors affecting neonatal morbidity, including socio-demographic characteristics, maternal and neonatal factors. These variables need to be explored further in future studies or meta-analysis so that, right efforts are directed toward reducing early neonatal morbidities utilizing optimum resources.