Research Article - Current Pediatric Research (2025) Volume 29, Issue 2

High Altitude, High Risks: A Retrospective Study of Premature infants admitted in a Sick Newborn Care Unit at High Altitude.

Objective: To study the morbidity profile of preterm infants admitted at SNCU at an altitude of 3500 meters from sea level. Methods: A Retrospective hospital based clinical observational study was done at the SNCU of SNM hospital Leh India situated at an altitude of [3500 meters] from sea level. Data regarding preterm births, clinical presentation, gestation, birth weight, maternal risk factors, morbidities & complications were recorded. Result: Out of the 183 preterm babies admitted in the SNCU, the maternal risk factors for prematurity identified were PIH (37%) and Anaemia (19%). Birth weight and gestation wise most babies were in the weight category of 1500 to 1999 grams & 34-37 gestational weeks (53.5% & 57.9% respectively). SGA babies comprised 36% of the study population. Hyaline Membrane disease (RDS) was the most common morbidity (45%) observed in the study population followed by Neonatal Jaundice (39%) & Perinatal Asphyxia (20%). Conclusion: Mostcommon morbidities were RDS and NNJ and the maternal risk factors for preterm births were PIH and Anaemia. SGA babies comprised large chunk of study population (36%)

Author(s):

Zahid Hussain*, Karma Choezom, Asghar Ali

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