Abstract:
Low Birth Weight contributes to a high Neonatal and
Infant Mortality rate.
A study on the neonatal outcome among LBW was carried out
-
for 4 months from September 1990 to January 1991,with the
aim of finding the major causes of morbidity and
mortality, and factors related to the same.784 LBW
infants and 612 infants 2500 grams and above were
studied.These infants were ~ollowed up for 4 to 6 weeks.
The incidence of LBW was 16%
.
The mean birth weight was 2854 grams, lower than that seen
in developed countries.
~The mortality among LBW was 37% and morbidity 55.6%,
contributing to 73% of morbidity and 63.6% of mortality
in general.
~LBW carried a 3 fold risk of morbidity and a 7 fold risk
for neonatal deaths.
The mortality was
significantly
related to
the
maturation and birth weight of the neonate.
~ Infections, Birth Asphyxia and Jaundice were the common
causes
of
morbidity. The
LBW
were
also
prone
to
Hypothermia and Hypoglyceamia. The incidence of RDS was
2.8% and for Congenital anomalies 1.6%.
--~~ - -~~-----=~-
2
-Prematurity, Birth Asphyxia and Infections were the
commonest causes of mortality.RDS, hypoglyceamia,
hypothermia and apnoeic attacks were significantly
associated to mortality in LBW infants.
Factors significantly associated with the adverse outcome
were; maternal age, antenatal care, maternal aneamia and
EPHG, Breech delivery, Low Apgar score, prematurity,
presence of cdngenital anomaly.
Deliveries conducted at home by TBA or relatives carried
a high mortality.
The mortality after discharge was 12.3% i. e. 42 out of
341 deaths.
JMajority of the deaths occured in the first week (83%)
thus a major contribution to Early Neonatal Deaths.
Increased antenatal care, intrapartum and neonatal
services are necessary for improving the outcome of LBW
and reducing the N
