Impact of special care services on perinatal and neonatal outcome
Singh, M.; Sud, N.; Arya, L.S.; Hingorani, V.
Indian Pediatrics 17(3): 255-260
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 7429614 Document Number: 160888
Clinical data on infants born in 1973 and 1978 at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital were collected and analyzed as to obstetrical composition, birth weight and gestational age characteristics, perinatal and neonatal mortality rates, and cause of neonatal mortality. Most of the patients belonged to the underpriviliged social class. Although there was a greater predominance of high-risk maternal factors in 1978 because of the policy of preferential bookings of high-risk mothers, the incidence of low-birth weightness and immaturity was lower than in 1973. The perinatal mortality rate in 1978 is higher because of increased incidence of late fetal deaths but the overall neonatal mortality is significantly lower (p0.05), partly because of overall improvement in the birth weight and gestational groups (p0.05). Generally, there was a trend of improved neonatal outcome and survival of low birth weight and preterm infants in 1978. The leading cause of neonatal mortality in 1973 was septicemia; in 1978, it was hyaline membrane disease. Prompt recognition and adequate management of infants with breathing difficulties at birth, as well as prevention of nosocomial nursery infections will further reduce neonatal mortality.