Assessment of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Incidences with Causes, Mortality and Morbidity in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: The objective of this study conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital Larkana was to check the prevalence of respiratory distress in neonates and their morbidity and mortality associated with respiratory distress. Methods: A retrospective analysis of neonates with the respiratory distress syndrome during the period of one year was evaluated. The prevalence, risk factors related with respiratory distress syndrome were compared on the basis of neonatal and maternal factors. Results: The Majority of respiratory distress in our study, were due to Transient Tachypnea of newborn (TTN) 29.8%, RDS 22.1%, birth asphyxia 17%, and Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) 15.7%.  Overall outcome of Neonatal Respiratory Distress was cure rate in 65.4%, Neonatal mortality rate 26.84% with highest mortality due to RDS and Sepsis and the morbidity rate is 7.7%. Conclusion: The TTN was the most common cause of respiratory distress in neonates. Mortality rate was 26.84% and was highest among the neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.