A Study of Neonatal Admissions into a Newborn-Special-Care Unit

Abstract

Summary: A retrospective study of newborn babies admitted over a period of six years into the Newbom-special-care Unit (NBSCU), Department of Pacdiatrics, University of Nigeria teaching hospital (UNTH), Enugu, was undertaken. The number of babies admitted was 5376 (2876 males, 2500 females). Babies of low birthweight (LBW) comprised 25.7 percent of the total admissions. There was a progressive annual increase in the admission of out-born babies, from 0.7 percent in 1982 to 21.4 percent in 1987. There were similar increases in the admission of babies of LBW from 17.3 percent in 1982 to 51.8 percent in 1987 and babies of very low birthweight (VLBW) from 3.1 percent in 1982 to 18.7 percent in 1987. Major indications for admission of the babies included birth asphyxia in 29.7 percent, prematurity and LBW in 25.7 percent and instrumental deliveries in 19.0 percent of the cases. The overall mortality was high ar 10.5 percent of the cases; death among babies of LBW contributed to 79.6 percent of the overall mortality, the main causes being complica tions of prematurity in 43.0 percent and infection in 31.0 percent of the deaths. Suggested measures to reduce mortality, include expansion and modernization of existing basic infrastructures to prevent overcrowding, provision of essential equip ment and increase in the number of staff of high quality in the Unit.