The Magnitude and Risk Factors of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome among Newborn Admitted To Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Benghazi Medical Center

Background: Hyaline Membrane Disease (HMD)/Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is the most common lung condition affecting premature babies. The inadequate amount of surfactant causes alveoli to collapse when the baby breathes out. It is hard for your baby to re-inflate the collapsed alveoli when he breathes. The lack of surfactant and resulting inflammation is called. Hyaline Membrane Disease (HMD)/Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS).

Aim of the Study: To determine the magnitude of Hyaline membrane disease or respiratory distress syndrome and identify the risk factors and complication among newborn babies in neonatal intensive care unit at Benghazi medical center (BMC).

Materials and Methods: Case series study. The study was conducted during the period between March 2017 to March 2018 of HMD cases at Benghazi medical center. A convenient sample of 120 cases diagnosed as HMD. Studied variables include the following; gestational age, birth weight, gender, type of pregnancy and type of delivery also the data for mothers such as (diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia hypothyroidism, receiving of Dexamethasone injection and premature rupture of membrane). Also investigation and treatment and finally the outcomes of babies.

Statistical Methods: Data were analyzed with SPSS version 17, analysis of associations was made with application Chi - square test for categorical variables comparison, was applied for test of association P <0.25. P was considered statistically significant if ≤ 0.05.

Results: Female gender was predominant (52%). Most of cases of HMD were between 1000 -2000 kg. Among the 120 cases we have (15%) sever HMD and the majority of cases have moderate –to sever Hyaline membrane disease 39 (32.5%) whereas very sever HMD were observed in nearly 27% of cases. The risk factors were history of maternal preeclampsia, maternal diabetes mellitus, prematurity and low birth weight babies and neonatal sepsis, all these were found to be very common risk factors of HMD. Pearson chi-square test p value highly significant of female gender with complications of HMD. Our results observed more than half of babies were died.

Conclusion: The risk factors were history of maternal preeclampsia, maternal diabetes mellitus, prematurity and low birth weight babies and neonatal sepsis all these were found to be very common risk factors of HMD. Also we concluded that the cases had premature rupture of membrane, which identified as risk factors of hyaline membrane disease. Furthermore, we concluded that highly significant of female gender with complications of HMD, such as Pneumothorax, bronco pulmonary, dysplasia, intra ventricular hemorrhage and congenital heart diseases were common co- morbidities with respiratory distress syndrome, all these could be have an association with the development of hyaline membrane disease, finally we observed more than half of babies were died this is a warning sign for health services.