Neonates — a neglected paediatric age group

Objective: To determine a change in the mortality of admitted children (neonates and children above 28 days of age to less than 17 years) and to document a change in the causes of neonatal admissions along with their mortality during a four year period. Methods: Conducted in Pediatric unit-I, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur. The data of all the children admitted from 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2008 was analyzed. Results: The mortality among admitted neonates was significantly higher than that of children of postneonatal age group. There was decrease in mortality among not only total admitted children but also among admitted children with postneonatal age group i.e. 1 month to less than 17 years of age over a four year period (2005- 2008) while no such decrease was seen in children of neonatal age group. The three common causes of neonatal admission and deaths were sepsis, birth asphyxia and prematurity. Conclusion: There was no improvement in neonatal mortality over a 4 year period. However, a decrease in postneonatal mortality was seen.