REFERRAL PATTERN AND OUTCOMES OF NEONATES FROM SECONDARY CARE SETTING OF AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL TO TERTIARY CARE CENTERS IN PAKISTAN
ABSTRACT:Objective: To determine the reasons of neonatal referrals from secondary care settings of Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) to tertiary care centers of Karachi, Pakistan and to assess the neonatal outcomes for referred cases. Methodology: This retrospective observational study was conducted at AKUH from July 2015 tjune 2019. All neonates born after 32 weeks of gestation at AKUH secondary care(Kharadar, Garden & Karimabad)and referred to tertiary care hospitals were consecutively enrolled. The reason for referral, i.e. surgical intervention, respiratory support, care of prematurity; need of mechanical ventilation, referral place and neonatal outcomes like discharge in stable condition, left against medical advice (LAMA) and mortality, were noted. Results: Of 348 referred cases, 306 (87.9%)were reported alive. neonatal mortality was reported in 42 (12.1%) of the cases. Of these 306 alive participants, 284 (92.81%) were discharged from the hospital whereas 22 (7.18%) LAMA. Of 348 patients, the referral place of most of the patients was outside AKU,i.e.189(56.3%).The need of mechanical ventilation was reported in, 63 (18.1%) patients. A significant association of mechanical ventilation in tertiary centers was observed in neonates born with low APGAR score at 1 and 5 min (p-value <0.001), shorter duration of stay at secondary care(p-value 0.007),and aggressive resuscitation requirement at birth (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Most common reasons for referral of newborns to tertiary care hospital was respiratory diseases requiring respiratory support and surgical intervention. Neonatal mortality noted for referrals made to AKUH were much less as compared to cases referred to other tertiary care hospitals. Continuous...