English

Abstract

AIM: To study the determinant of mortality on extramural arrival of sick newborns and mode of neonatal transport at tertiary care Centre. BACKGROUND: Neonatal transport system in our country is major gap in holistic newborn care and acute neonatal physiology is deranged during transport which adversely affects the mortality and morbidity of sick newborns. MATERIAL & METHODS: This is prospective observational cohort study carried out in out born neonatal intensive care unit over a period of one year. Inclusion criteria were age up to 28 days, delivered at home or private nursing home or any health centre; and exclusion criteria were age more than 28 days, abandoned newborns and those delivered in the institution of study. A predesigned and tested proforma was used to record information by the pediatric resident on duty at time of neonatal admission. Data were analysed and tabulated, for analysis of data software STATISTIX was used, chi- square test for dichotomous variables and multiple logistic regression for predictors of mortality. RESULT: Out of 200 newborns 146 were male and 54 were female, 140 were term and 59 were preterm, 39 newborns expired and common mode of transport was taxi 47%, bus 16%, auto 16% and ambulance 2.5%. The common factors determining the outcome were low admission weight, prematurity, longer duration of transport and deranged physiological factors e.g. hypothermia, respiratory distress, prolonged CRT and central cyanosis. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that neonatal transport in our country is self-supported; the ideal element of neonatal transport is major gap in holistic neonatal care. Thus we suggest RUSH-IN FACILITY for neonatal transport.