OUTCOME OF VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT NEWBORNS IN RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN HOSPITAL MUZAFFAR GARH

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the survival rate of very low birth weight newborns admitted in Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital Muzaffar Garh and to assess the short-term morbidity outcomes such as respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis and intraventricular hemorrhage.

Material and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted Department of Neonatology, Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital, Muzaffar Garh. Pakistan and the medical records were retrieved from November 2024 to October 2025. All newborns (n = 237) with birth weight <1500 grams admitted to NICU within 24 hour  of birth of either sex were included in our study following clearance by the institutional ethical review committee.  Data was collected from hospital record and researcher recorded total number of newborns less than 1500 gram weight, total number of survival , short term morbidity and mortality and baseline information such as birth weight, maternal age, neonatal gestational age and delivery method while short-term morbidities such as; Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Respiratory distress syndrome, Neonatal sepsis and Intraventricular haemorrhage.

Results: This study included a total of 237 very low birth weight newborns admitted in Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital Muzaffar Garh, of which 56.5% (n = 134) were boys while 43.5% (n = 103) were girls. Mean gestational age was 28.87 ± 3.11 weeks and 69.2 % (n = 164) were aged up to the 30 weeks of  gestation. Of these 237 very low birth weight newborns, 69.2 % (n = 164) were from rural areas while 67.1% (n = 159) belonged to poor families and primiparity was noted in 16.9% (n = 40). Hypertension was noted in  22.8% (n = 54) while multiple gestations in 14.3 % (n = 34) and premature rupture of membranes in 30.8 % (n = 73). Malnutrition was noted in 22.8 % (n=54), respiratory distress syndrome in 22.8 % (n = 54), sepsis in 16.9 % (n = 40), intraventricular haemorrhage in 4.2 % (n = 10) and Necrotizing Enterocolitis was noted in 6.3 % (n = 15). Of these 237 very low birth weight newborns 80.2 % (n = 190) were discharged alive and 19.8 % (n = 47) expired. Conclusion; Our study demonstrated a high survival rate among VLBW newborns admitted to our institution. Mortality was significantly associated with male gender, primiparity, multiple gestation, PROM, maternal malnutrition, sepsis and NEC. Continued strengthening of perinatal and neonatal intensive care services is essential to further improve outcomes in this highly vulnerable population.