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Neonatal Intensive Care Admissions and Outcomes in Malta from 2019 to 2022-A Retrospective Observational Study
Nadine Anne De Battista1, Alexander Attard Littschwager1, Clarissa Sciberras1
1Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Mater Dei Hospital, MSD 2090 Msida, Malta.
Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 4, 2026
Summary
This review of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions in Malta found respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnoea, and sepsis were common. Nutritional support and exclusive breastfeeding rates require improvement.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) manage critically ill newborns.
- Understanding admission patterns and outcomes is crucial for optimizing neonatal care.
- Malta's NICU data provides insights into regional neonatal health trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively review neonatal admissions and outcomes at Malta's NICU from 2019-2022.
- To analyze demographic data, admission reasons, and clinical outcomes.
- To identify areas for improvement in neonatal care and service planning.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study of NICU admissions over four years (2019-2022).
- Analysis of electronic medical records for neonates up to 28 days.
- Inclusion criteria focused on gestation, birth weight, resuscitation, admission reasons, and outcomes (nutrition, respiratory support, infections, etc.).
Main Results:
- 1303 admissions (7.3% of births); 1234 analyzed.
- Primary admission reasons: respiratory distress syndrome (27.7%), transient tachypnoea (16.3%), and sepsis (13.5%).
- Delayed enteral nutrition and below-EU-average breastfeeding rates noted; sepsis and CLABSI rates were low.
Conclusions:
- Descriptive overview of NICU admissions and outcomes stratified by gestational age.
- Highlights expected prematurity-related morbidity and differences in clinical management (nutritional, respiratory support).
- Recommends prospective studies for better neonatal care and service planning.
