Indications and Clinical Profile of Neonatal Admissions: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Analysis from a Single Academic Center in Jordan

PURPOSE: To review the indications and clinical profile of neonatal admissions at King Abdullah University Hospital in Jordan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional review of all neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between September 2016 and September 2018. Collected data include demographic characteristics, indications for admission, morbidities and mortality, and discharge outcomes. Findings were reported among term and preterm infants. RESULTS: A total of 1444 infants were admitted during the study period of whom 1332 (92.2%) were inborn and 612 (42.4%) were term neonates. Of the 832 preterm infants, 545 were late preterm (34–36 6/7 gestation) and 125 had very low birth weight (˂ 1500 grams); 925 (64%) were born by cesarean section. Respiratory failure of the newborn (41.2%) and prematurity (33.3%) were the main indications for admission among the whole cohort. Maternal prolonged premature rupture of membranes (PROM) was observed in nearly half the admissions of term infants. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (3.2% vs 0.7%, p 0.01) and congenital anomalies (5% vs 1.2%, p 0.03) were more common in term infants. The rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was 39% among <28-week and 28% among <32-week premature infants. Sepsis was encountered in 59 infants. The overall mortality rate was 3.8%. Prematurity was the main predisposing factor for mortality (Adjusted OR: 9.9, 95% CI: 3.5, 27.6). CONCLUSION: The majority of neonatal admissions at our institution are term and late preterm infants delivered by cesarean section. Prematurity, respiratory failure of the newborn, and suspected sepsis due to maternal PROM are the leading causes of admission. The mortality rate is within WHO target to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3. Population-based studies are needed to make better conclusions that represent the whole Jordanian population. A revisit for the indications of cesarean deliveries may help to improve the neonatal outcomes.