Frequency of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Infants Delivered at Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi

Junaid Bashir; Zeeshan Ahmed; Muzammal Ghafoor; Murtaza Hussain; Saeed Zaman; Muhammad Waleed Babar

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v72i4.7217

Authors

Junaid Bashir Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
Zeeshan Ahmed Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
Muzammal Ghafoor Combined Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
Murtaza Hussain Combined Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
Saeed Zaman Combined Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
Muhammad Waleed Babar Combined Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v72i4.7217

Keywords:

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, Preterm, Perinatal asphyxia, Respiratory distress, Transient tachypnoea of the newborn

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of Respiratory Distress Syndrome among preterm neonates born at the Pak Emirates Military Hospital.

Study Design: Cross-Sectional Study.

Place and Duration of Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Aug 2020 to Mar 2021.

Methodology: One hundred and sixty-nine neonates with a gestational age of ≤34 weeks of either gender were included in this study. RDS was confirmed by reviewing neonatal medical charts. The frequency of RDS was seen in different groups according to gestational age, gender, weight, hypothermia, sepsis and jaundice.

Results: There were 169 patients; among them were 94 (55.6%) males and 75 (44.4%) females. 105 (62.1%) were born by caesarean section, and 64 (37.9%) were normal vaginal delivery. There were 26 (15.4%) neonates, with RDS, and 143 (84.6%) did not have RDS. Among our 169 sample, 26 (15.4%) were in <28 weeks, 96 (56.8%) were in the 28 to 32 weeks and 47 (27.8%) were in >32 week gestational groups. There were 34 (20.1%) who were <1000 g, there were 96 (56.8%) were between 1000 to 1500 g, and 39 (23.1%) were > 1500 g. Hypothermia was found in 43 (25.4%) of neonates; 126 (74.6%) did not have hypothermia. 63 (37.3%) neonates had sepsis, and 39 (23.1%) had jaundice.

Conclusion: RDS is a serious problem in our country. Health care providers must plan cost-effective and efficient strategies to detect and treat RDS in the developing world.