| Popis: |
Large numbers of preterm babies are born in middle income countries and neonatal care is improving in these countries. However, comparative clinical outcomes of preterm babies between a tertiary neonatal unit from middle income country and higher income country is limited. Objective: To compare the clinical profile and short-term outcomes of preterm babies ≤ 30 weeks gestation admitted to a tertiary care hospital in India and the U.K. Design: Retrospective cohort observational study using anonymised data from Electronic Patient Records. Setting: Regional tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Manipal Hospitals, Bangalore, India and Homerton University Hospital, London, UK. Participants: Preterm babies born at ≤ 30 weeks gestation admitted to NICUs over five year period (January 2011 to December 2015). Infants with major congenital abnormalities were excluded. Intervention: This is an observational study and routine care was provided as per departmental standard protocols. Main outcome measures: Comparison of neonatal unit mortality between two centres, infant morbidities till discharge from neonatal unit. Results: A total of 740 babies from the U.K centre and 294 babies from Indian centre were enrolled into the study. The mean gestational age in the U.K cohort was 26.6 ± 2.16 weeks, whereas in Indian cohort was 28.4 ± 1.66 weeks (p, 28 weeks was comparable between the U.K and Indian centres. Survival of babies born at ≤ 28 weeks gestation was lower in Indian centre. Conclusions and relevance: The survival of babies above 28 weeks prematurity was comparable between a tertiary care centre in India and the U.K. However, survival of babies ≤ 28 weeks gestation was lower in Indian centre. Incidence of ROP and sepsis was higher in Indian centre. |
