Admission and outcome patterns among neonates admitted to the Federal Police referral hospital's neonatal intensive care unit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: The rate of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period remains high in Ethio-pia. Assessing the Neonatal intensive care unit cases regularly is vital as the disease pattern and mortality are not known in the police population.Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the number, types, clinical features of sick neo-nates admitted and their discharge outcome at the neonatal intensive care unit of Federal police hospital, Ethiopia since the time of its establishment two years ago.Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional retrospective review of medical records of sick neo-nates 0-1 month of age admitted to the neonatal unit at the Federal police Hospital, Addis Ababa Ethiopia from September 01, 2019 to October 30, 2021.Results: The medical records of all 155 sick neonates during the study period were included in this study. Among the estimated 3600 deliveries at federal police hospitals during the study peri-od, the neonatal admission rate was 155/3600 (4.3 %). The majority of neonates, 130 (83.9%), were admitted with the age less than 48 hours. Ninety-one (58.7 %) were male and 64(41.3 %) were female neonates making the male to female ratio 1.4:1. Prematurity accounts for 54 (34.8%) of admissions. Sepsis was the main reason for admissions 58 (37.4%), followed by birth asphyxia 12 (7.7%), and neonatal jaundice 10(6.4 %). On discharge, 133 (85.8%) were improved and dis-charged, 2(1.29%) left against medical advice, and 3(1.9%) were referred while 17(10.9%) of the admitted patients died.Conclusion: Prematurity related causes, neonatal infection and birth asphyxia were the main rea-sons for neonatal admissions and neonatal mortality was high in the first 24 hours of age. Neonatal admissions at Federal Police Hospital NICU mirror the national profile of Ethiopian Neonatal In-tensive Care Units. Due attention should be given to address these issues and to reduce mortality.