Outcome of neonatal ventilation: a prospective and cross-sectional study in tertiary care centre

Abstract

Background: Neonatal mortality accounts for nearly two thirds of infant mortality and half of under 5 mortalities in India. It is possible to increase neonatal survival and improve the quality of life only through prompt and adequate management of critically ill newborn. Mechanical ventilation has become a must to enhance neonatal survival and is an essential component of neonatal intensive care.Methods: Hospital based prospective, cross-sectional study from 1st July 2012 to 30th June 2013. All NICU admitted neonate requiring mechanical ventilation were included. It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of a prospective data.Results: Indication of mechanical ventilation: Out of 72 neonates studied, majority of preterm were ventilated for RDS - 34 (89.5%) and majority of Full term were ventilated for MAS - 16 (100%) followed by HIE - 8 (88.89%). Out of 38 RDS cases, 30 (79%) were ventilated till 4-7 days duration and 3 (7.9%) required ventilation for >10 days. Out of 16 MAS cases, 10 (62.5%) were ventilated for 4-7 days duration and none required prolonged ventilation. Duration of ventilation is not statistically associated with indication of mechanical ventilation with p=0.301.Conclusions: Mechanical and Pulmonary complications of mechanical ventilation are not statistically significant for outcome of mechanical ventilation but it increases length of NICU stay. Hypotension on ventilator, requirement of more than 3 ionotropes were associated with high mortality.