Abstract

Neonatal health metrics for the academic year 1987/1988, focusing on nosocomial infection rates, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), air leak, and neonatal mortality. Data were collected from neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to assess the prevalence and impact of these conditions on very low birthweight infants. Results indicate a 20% nosocomial infection rate, 20% severe IVH incidence per 100 very low birthweight infants, 27% BPD occurrence per 100 cases of severe respiratory distress syndrome, 5% NEC rate per 100 NICU discharges, 21% air leak incidence per 100 severe respiratory distress syndrome cases, and a neonatal mortality rate of 0.4 per very low birthweight delivery rate. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance and intervention efforts to improve neonatal outcomes and reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable population. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying factors contributing to these health outcomes and inform targeted interventions for neonatal care.