EFFECTS OF ANTENATAL COMPLICATIONS, APGAR SCORE AND BIRTH WEIGHTON PRETERM MORTALITY

Objective: To compare the mortality of preterm babies based on antenatal complications, APGAR score and gestational weight. Study Design: Comparative cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Neonatal Intensive Unit (NICU) of CMH, Quetta, from Oct 2015 to Dec 2016. Methodology: All preterm babies were included in the study. Antenatal complications, if any, were recorded from the antenatal checkup data file. Gestational age and APGAR score were recorded at the time of birth. Outcome of newborns was measured as discharged or expired. Stratification was done in regard to different variables and post stratification Chi square test was applied. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Total number of patients in our study was 81. Out of total patients male were 41 (51%) and female were 40 (49%). Mean weight of study population was (Mean ± SD) 2.02 ± 0.62. Antenatal complications in the form of pre mature rupture of membrane (PROM) was present in 13 (16%) patients, antepartum hemorrhage (APH) in 4 (5%), oligohydramnios in 12 (15%), polyhydramnios in 1 (1%) and whereas 51 (63%) of the mother had smooth pregnancy. Of the admitted patients 56 (69%) were discharged in satisfactory condition while rest of babies 25 (31%) expired during stay in hospital. Conclusion: Apgar score, antenatal complications and weight of babies were significantly related to pre term babies’ mortality