International Clinical and Medical Case Reports Journal (ISSN: 2832-5788) | Volume 5, Issue 5 | Research Article | Open Access DOI
Divya Ravikumar*
Medical student, Department of Pediatrics, Azerbaijan Medical University, Azerbaijan
*Correspondence to: Divya Ravikumar
Fulltext PDFBackground: Low birth weight (LBW), defined as birth weight less than 2500 grams, remains a leading contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.Objective: To investigate morbidity patterns and identify mortality-associated risk factors among LBW neonates admitted to a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 39 LBW neonates admitted to the NICU of the Scientific Research Institute of Pediatrics between January 2023 and December 2024. Clinical data were extracted from medical records. Associations between clinical variables and mortality were assessed using odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, with p<0.05 considered significant.
Results: The overall mortality rate was 48.7% (19/39). Preterm neonates constituted 71.8% of the cohort. The most common morbidities were neonatal jaundice (61.5%), respiratory distress (53.8%), and sepsis (48.7%). Sepsis was the strongest predictor of mortality (OR 5.06, 95% CI 1.32–19.3; p=0.01). Prematurity (OR 3.56; p=0.08), respiratory distress (OR 3.25; p=0.07), and necrotizing enterocolitis (OR 4.15; p=0.10) were associated with increased but statistically non-significant risk. Neonatal jaundice was associated with survival (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04–0.73; p=0.01).Conclusion: Mortality among LBW neonates remains high and is strongly associated with sepsis and prematurity. Early identification and aggressive management of infectious and respiratory complications are essential to improve outcomes.
Low birth weight; Preterm; Neonatal mortality; Neonatal morbidity; Sepsis; NICU
Divya Ravikumar. Morbidity Patterns and Determinants of Mortality in Low-Birth-Weight Neonates: A Retrospective Cohort Study from Azerbaijan. Int Clinc Med Case Rep Jour. 2026;5(5):1-9.