Precise documentation of morbidity and mortality patterns serves as a cornerstone for multiple significant purposes. The perinatal and neonatal phases, despite their brevity, represent pivotal junctures in human existence. They provide profound insights into the health status and socio-biological dynamics of society’s most vulnerable cohorts mothers and infants. This study was undertaken with the noble objective of scrutinizing the intricate morbidity and mortality patterns observed among neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: 

All the neonates admitted to NICU from April 2023 – March 2024.All VLBW neonates admitted in our NICU were enrolled in the study. Relevant details were collected which includes maternal details like their age , address , socioeconomic status, educational status, maternal weight, risk factors (Hypertension, Anemia, Gestational Diabetes mellitus, Multiple gestation, Chronic medical illness, Hypothyroidism, HIV status, Hepatitis B, Maternal fever) with the exclusion of congenital anomalies and were retrospectively analysed for demographic profile, short term morbidity and outcome. 

In our NICU, a total of 280 very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates were admitted, comprising 155 males (55.3%) and 125 females (44.7%). The mean birth weight ± standard deviation was 1.240 ± 0.110 kg for males and 1.270 ± 0.105 kg for females. Among these neonates, 170 (60.7%) were small for gestational age (SGA), 60 (21.4%) appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and 50 (17.9%) intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR). The distribution of gestational ages was as follows: less than 28 weeks, 17 (6%); 28-32 weeks, 155 (55.3%); 32-34 weeks, 47 (16.9%); and 34-36 weeks, 61 (21.8%). Of the 280 neonates, 208 (74.2%) survived while 72 (25.8%) did not. The primary causes of mortality among VLBW neonates were sepsis, accounting for 39 deaths (54.2%), followed by respiratory distress syndrome with 27 deaths (37.6%). 

Birth asphyxia, prematurity, jaundice, neonatal sepsis, and respiratory issues significantly contribute to neonatal mortality and morbidity. To mitigate these, it is vital to enhance prenatal care, ensure skilled birth attendance, expand NICU facilities, implement routine screenings, enforce stringent infection control and educate parents.