NEONATAL MORTALITY TRENDS IN THE SPECIAL CARE BABY UNIT AT GHARIAN TEACHING HOSPITAL: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Аннотация

This study examines the trends in neonatal mortality rates in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Gharian Teaching Hospital over the past five years, aiming to identify key factors contributing to mortality and their implications for clinical practice. A retrospective analysis was conducted, utilizing hospital records to assess neonatal outcomes from January 2018 to December 2022. The results indicate that the neonatal mortality rate in the SCBU has shown a gradual decline, from 15% in 2018 to 10% in 2022. However, specific factors, including prematurity, low birth weight, and congenital anomalies, remain prevalent among the deceased infants. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve neonatal care, particularly in managing high-risk pregnancies and enhancing the quality of care in the SCBU. The study concludes with recommendations for healthcare practitioners and policymakers to implement evidence-based practices that address the identified challenges, aiming to further reduce neonatal mortality rates and improve overall neonatal health outcomes. KEYWORDS Neonatal mortality, Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), Gharian Teaching Hospital, Prematurity, Low birth weight, Congenital anomalies, Neonatal outcomes.