Respiratory Outcomes of Low-Birth-Weight Neonates Admitted in A Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Low birth weight (LBW) has been defined as a birth weight of less than 2.5 kg. Around one fourth of all neonates born in India are low birth weight. They are at risk of unique neonatal problems and need to be monitored for feed intolerance, infection and other metabolic problems. The present study was undertaken to find out the clinical profile and respiratory outcomes of neonates admitted with Low birthweight in a tertiary care hospital in Sub urban parts of Chennai. This was a retrospective study where the obstetrical and perinatal records in a hospitals obstetrics and neonatal database between 2018 and 2019 were studied after approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Convenience sampling was done. Data were collected and entered in a predesigned proforma. Data was then entered in a Statistical Package for Social Sciences for further calculations. A total of 192 Low birth weight neonates were admitted during the study period. Of these 192 neonates, 126 neonates had respiratory distress. Among the neonates with respiratory distress 47 % of the neonates were female and 53 % were male neonates. The mean gestational age was 33 weeks and 5 days and mean weight was 1789grams. Majority of the neonates were appropriate for gestational age (76.2%) rest were small for gestational age (23.8%). The mean duration of hospital stay was 23days.LBW neonates are at higher risk of morbidities and mortalities. Respiratory distress and associated complications are a common problem in low-birth-weight neonates especially preterm low birth weight neonates. The best option to prevent LBW is by improving maternal health. Improvement of perinatal and neonatal services plays a key role in reducing the morbidity related to low birth weight.