PATTERN AND DETERMINANTS OF SKIN INJURIES IN PRETERM NEONATES ADMITTED TO SICK NEWBORN CARE UNIT IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

Abstract

Objectives: Primary objective: To estimate the proportion of skin injuries in preterm neonates admitted to the
Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU)
.Secondary objective: To describe the pattern of skin injuries and their predisposing factors in preterm neonates
admitted to SNCU.
Methods: Hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study done over 4 months between June 2021 and
September 2021 in SNCU of Govt. Lady Goschen Hospital attached to Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore.
The demographic information, clinical profile of eligible preterm neonates were documented and these neonates
were examined daily until discharge from SNCU, and skin injuries along with their predisposing factors were
documented in data capture sheets. The information obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.
Results: The proportion of preterm neonates with skin injuries during SNCU stay was 24.3% (n=35). Abrasion
(n=12, 8.3%), followed by nasal septal skin damage (n=10, 6.9%) were the two most common injuries observed.
Female neonates were affected thrice as much as males.
Conclusion: Skin injuries are common morbidities in preterm neonates admitted to SNCU. They can be trivial
and self-limiting to severe ones that may prolong SNCU stay. Most are related to monitoring device use and
therapeutic interventions in SNCU.