Pattern of admissions to neonatal unit

To document the number, disease pattern and outcome of patients admitted to neonatal unit. Descriptive study. The study was conducted in the Neonatal Unit of National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, Pakistan from 1st January 2001 to 31st December 2001. The data of all the admitted neonates was analyzed for age and weight at the time of admission, sex, duration of stay, cause of admission and outcome. A total of 1984 neonates were admitted during study period. Among them 62.1% were males, 17.54% were admitted within 6 hours of their life, and 51.36% within 72 hours of birth. The low birth weight accounted for 55.4% admissions. Neonatal infection was the major cause of admission [45.21%] comprising 30.64% cases of septicemia, 9.82% of pneumonia and 4.73% of meningitis. Other causes of admission were birth asphyxia [18.85%], neonatal jaundice [13.15%], pre-term [6.87%], meconium aspiration syndrome [3.67%], hemorrhagic disease of newborn [2.21%], diarrhea [2.11%] and hyaline membrane disease [1.05%]. 48.53% were discharged with satisfactory condition, 25.5% died and 25.85% left against medical advice [LAMA] and or discharged on request [DoR]. Low birth weight [LBW], infections and birth asphyxia were the major causes of neonatal admission