Profile and Predictors of Babies Admitted to SNCUs of Two Tribal Districts of Chhattisgarh

Background: The neonatal period is the crucial and vulnerable period of the human life cycle. Various research has been conducted worldwide that provide the baseline data on clinical profiles and predictors of outcomes of babies admitted to sick newborn care units (SNCUs). Nonetheless, studies on tribal areas and community outreach areas are rare. In the present study, predictors and profiles of patients admitted to SNCU, in the Dantewada and Bijapur districts of Chhattisgarh, India, were evaluated which shall help prioritize patient care and preventive approaches.

Methods: This retrospective study was undertaken from January 2019 to December 2020 in the SNCUs of Dantewada and Bijapur. Neonatal and maternal characteristics, course during labor, treatment given to the neonates, and outcome data were obtained and analysed.

Results: In total, 1,531 neonates were enrolled in the study. Mothers had a mean age of 25.6 years (standard deviation [SD] ±4.9) with birth spacing less than 2 years (60.3%) and antenatal care (ANC) visits less than 4 (50.4%). Neonates were low birth weight (43.75%) and were home-delivered (15.8%). One hundred forty-nine neonates died. In the multivariate regression model, extremely low birth weight babies, less than 1 kg (odds ratio [OR]: 11.59 confidence interval [CI] 4.625-31.58), gestational age less than 34 weeks (OR: 2.13 CI 1.291-3.532), central cyanosis (OR: 10.40 CI: 3.269-32.35), duration of IV fluid > 3 days (OR: 2.16 CI 0.793-0.880), duration of antibiotic >3 days (OR 0.63 CI 0.408-0.979) were found to be independent predictors of mortality among neonates.

Conclusion: The prevalence of newborns aged less than 12 h is higher among the study population. Birth asphyxia, prematurity, neonatal jaundice, and sepsis were fundamental and leading causes of morbidity. Preterm birth and low birth weight babies had significantly high mortality. The government needs to focus on marginalized communities with target-based interventions and policies.