Diseases Pattern and Outcome among the Neonates in A Newly Established Special Care Newborn Unit (SCANU) At Secondary Level District Hospital in Bangladesh

Although huge improvement in neonatal mortality reduction in last two decades in Bangladesh but it is still very high compare with many other countries. High neonatal mortality also significantly contribute deaths among the under five children. Neonatal mortality reflects a nation's socio-economic status, efficiency and effectiveness of health care services. This was cross sectional study. The objective of this study was to analyse the diseases pattern and outcome of the neonates admitted in the newly established SCANU (Special care neonatal unit) of 250 bedded General Hospital of Tangail district, Bangladesh. Study period was one year from January 2017 to December 2017. Information from medical records of the SCANU was analysed. During the study period 1,379 neonates were admitted in the SCANU. The ratio between male and female was 1.5:1, 61% of the neonates admitted at first day of life. The reasons for admissions in SCANU were 31% of preterm and low birth weight, 23%birth asphyxia, 13% neonatal sepsis, 9% transient tachypnea of newborn, 5% congenital anomalies and 4% neonatal jaundice. Out of all neonates survival rate was 56% (779), while 25% (349) ended with fatality, 9% (122) were referred to tertiary level hospital and 10% (129) were left the hospital against medical advice. Among the fatal cases 63% died in first 24 hours and 88% in first week of life. Data shows that 47% deaths were due to preterm and low birth weight with its complication, other significant causes were birth asphyxia (30%), septicemia (16%) and congenital anomalies were (6%). Preterm and low birth weight, neonatal sepsis, birth asphyxia, transient tachypnea of newborn; congenital anomalies were the main reasons for admission in SCANU. Prematurity and its complication, birth asphyxia and neonatal sepsis as the major contributors to the neonatal mortality. The study findings will help researchers and policy makers to initiate further research and interventions to reduce fatality among the neonates in the SCANU.