Background: Respiratory distress is a common condition in newborns, responsible for 30-40% of NICU admissions and a leading cause of neonatal mortality. In India, its incidence varies due to geographical, socio-economic, and ethnic factors. Aim of the Study: To evaluate the risk factors, etiology and immediate outcome of the neonates admitted in NICU with respiratory distress. Material and Methods: This hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted in the NICU of MMIMSR, Mullana, over 1.5 years. A total of 150 neonates meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled based on clinical assessment. Detailed neonatal and maternal data were recorded, and respiratory support was provided according to distress scoring. Case-specific investigations determined the final diagnosis, and outcomes were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Study found a significant association between respiratory distress and perinatal risk factors. Male infants had a higher incidence (62%), and low birth weight was the common factor (44%). Among the 150 cases, Transient Tachypnea of Newborn (TTN) was the most common diagnosis (30%), followed by Sepsis (18.7%), Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) (17.3%), and Perinatal Asphyxia (14%). Other conditions included Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (9.3%), Congenital Heart Disease (4%), Neonatal Pneumonia (4%). Most neonates received CPAP, and majority were discharged within 10 days. Mortality was highest in Perinatal Asphyxia (42.9%) and RDS (28.6%), particularly in early preterm (52.4%) and extremely preterm (14.3%) infants. Final outcomes showed 79.3% were discharged, 14% died, and 6.7% left against medical advice. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for early diagnosis and tailored management to improve outcomes in newborns with respiratory distress. Key recommendations include enhanced prenatal care, cautious use of cesarean sections, and immediate postnatal respiratory support. It also emphasizes the wider use of antenatal steroids and strict management protocols to reduce the risk and severity of respiratory distress.
Palak et al. (Fri,) studied this question.