Abstract
Aim Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission is commonly associated with prematurity in which increased morbidity and mortality are more frequent, it therefore remains rare for NICU admission among term neonates in clinical settings. This study therefore aims to investigate the potential neonatal characteristics of term neonates contributing to NICU admission.
Material and Method This retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of all the live births born to women who gave birth at the Kosambi Mother and Children Centre and Harapan Kita National Hospital between 2019 and 2022. Cases with preterm delivery, preexisting diabetes and hypertension were excluded. Study case group was neonates admitted to NICU and thus those not admitted to NICU was included in the control group.
Results Between 2019 and 2022 and 1959 deliveries of term neonates were recorded, in which 8 of them were admitted to NICU. Compared to control, there were higher proportions of NICU admitted neonates care to be reported with respiratory distress syndrome (8/8 vs 0/1951), neonatal sepsis (1/8 vs 0/1951), and those with a history of caesarean section delivery (8/8). NICU-admitted neonates also significantly had a lower birth weight than control (2575.33 ± 774.93 vs 3141.38 ± 403.56) (table 1).
Conclusions The clinical presentations of term neonates who received NICU care were associated with lower neonatal birth weight, respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal sepsis, and history of surgical delivery. Perinatal care to reduce the risk of these morbidities should be addressed to prevent the associated harm.