Abstract: Introduction: Birth weight (BW) has been used to predict neonatal outcome (morbidity and mortality). The present study aims to describe the features like BW, anthropological measurements, ventilator requirement and mortality in 1139 neonates on the basis of duration of their hospital stay (HS) and to find correlation between them and duration of HS, if any.
Materials and methods: Records of 1139 neonates in terms of BW, length and duration of hospital stay were taken. The cord blood was collected at birth for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone/ Thyrotropin (CBTSH) measurement. The BW and length measurements of the baby were obtained using standard procedures. The Body mass Index (BMI) and Ponderal Index (PI) was calculated using the standard formula. Study cases were divided into 4 groups on the basis of duration of HS. Data was finally analyzed with SPSS software. Receiver Operator Curve (ROC) and exponential curve were made as needed.
Results: Neonates with normal and above normal BW had shorter hospital stay. The neonates with below normal BW had longer HS. Length of HS increases as the BMI and PI decreases. CBTSH did not show any statistical significance. The BW, BMI and PI were significantly and negatively correlated with duration of HS suggesting that neonates with less BW, BMI, PI require prolonged HS.
Conclusion: BW significantly affects length of hospital stay. BW, BMI and PI have significant negative correlation with the duration of HS but the association of BW is most consistent. Length of HS increases as BW, BMI and PI decreases. to conclude, prediction of neonatal outcome can be done using anthropological parameters, BW being the most reliable one.
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