Mortality and morbidity risk factors of newborns in neonatology intensive care unit

Aim Today, thousands of patients in newborn units are being followed, especially premature infants and sick babies. The mortality and morbidity of neonatal infants are decreasing due to the increase in the number of neonatal intensive care units for both the new treatment and advanced materials. However, the mortality and morbidity levels of newborn infants are not at the desired level. There are many factors affecting this mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine these risk factors. Materials and Methods Dicle University Medical Faculty Hospitals, Child Health and Diseases Department, The files of the patients who were hospitalized at the Neonatology Clinic between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017 and who had access to their files and whose information was complete were retrospectively reviewed. Data were compared in terms of mortality. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethics committee of Dicle University Medical Faculty for this study. Findings The 1235 cases were composed of 599 (48.5%) female and 636 (51.5%) male. Respiratory distress syndrome 31.4%, Respiratory distress 46.3%, Sepsis 25.4%, Intracranial hemorrhage 5%, Hydrocephalus 5.4%, Meconium aspiration 6.3%, Hyperblirubinemia 50.2%, Diabetic mother infant 3.1%, Preeclamptic mother infant 11.5%A and Congenital heart disease 2.9%were found in cases. When the cases were evaluated according to birth weight and week, the mortality rate was 36.4%in infants less than 28 weeks of age,16.8%in infants aged 29-32 weeks, 9%in infants aged 33-37 weeks, 14.7%in infants older than 38 weeks and above, 37.5%in infants less than 1000 g and 16%in infants with 1001-1500g, 14.7%in infants with 1501-2000g infants, 15.7%in infants with 2001-2500g, 9.7%in infants with 2501g and over, 17.3%in preterm infants and 9%in term infants. When the cases were evaluated according to gestation week, sepsis rates were found to be 33.6%in infants under 28 weeks and 30.5%in infants with 29-32 weeks, 26%in infants with 33-37 weeks, and 17.7%in infants 38 weeks and older, 36.4%in babies with 1000g and under, 35.5%in infants with 1001-1500g, 26.2%in infants with 1501-2000 g, 16.8%in infants with 2001-2500g, 20.9%in infants with 2501g or more, 28.8%in preterm infants and 28%in low birth weight infants. Conclusion As a result, the most important risk factor for mortality is still premature birth. In addition, respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, intracranial hemorrhage, congenital heart disease and other anomalies are important factors to be avoided. Keywords: Newborn, Mortality, Risk Factors