Features of patients hospitalized to the newborn intensive care at Clínica Universidad de La Sabana

Abstract

Introduction: It is relevant to know the characteristics of patients who enter to neonatal intensive care units in order to learn how to respond to their specific conditions and which health actions can be applied for their particular needs. Objective: The aim of this study is describe patients admitted at Clinica Universidad de La Sabana (Neonatal Intensive Care -NIC) from January to December 2012. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study with n=206 neonates admitted to the NIC at Clinica Universidad de La Sabana in 2012, medical records of patients admitted were reviewed to identify its characteristics, as well absolute and relative frequencies were calculated. In terms of quantitative variables, they were measured with central tendency and dispersion. Results: 56.3% of patients were men, the average gestational age was 36.5 weeks (SD 3.3 weeks), the average weight was 2625 gr (SD 757.5 gr). The median days of stay was 4 (IQR:2-9). The main diagnosis was neonatal icterus (21.8%); 22% of patient’s required mechanical ventilation (MV). The mean gestational age and weight in patients with VM requirements was 32.7 weeks (SD: 3.7 weeks) and 1883 gr (SD: 779 gr) respectively. Contrasted with the gestational age and weight of newborns that not requiring VM was 37.6 weeks (SD 2.2 weeks) and 2840 gr (SD: 601 gr). Conclusions: Low birth weight, early gestational age and the use of surfactant, were associated with the requirement of VM, and the mortality found was 2.8% for the whole cohort.