Adverse Neonatal Outcomes and Associated Antenatal Risk Factors - A Matched Case-Control Study from a Tertiary Care...

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Neonatal Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Neonatal mortality remains a significant global health concern despite declining trends.
• Identifying antenatal risk factors is crucial for preventing and managing neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore antenatal risk factors associated with adverse neonatal outcomes in South India.
• To identify specific pregnancy complications that increase the risk of poor neonatal outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Hospital-based, matched case-control study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, South India.
• Cases were women with adverse neonatal outcomes; controls were women with healthy newborns.
• Data collected primarily from medical records and triangulated.

Main Results:

• Placental complications increased adverse neonatal outcomes by tenfold.
• Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increased risk sevenfold.
• Referral from peripheral centers (1.6 times higher risk) and prior hospital admission (protective effect) were also noted.

Conclusions:

• Routine monitoring of risk factors in all health centers is recommended.
• Early identification and management of high-risk pregnancies are essential for improving neonatal outcomes.