Year: 2026 | Month: August | Volume: 13 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 315-327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260831
Pattern of Neonatal Surgical Emergencies in Tertiary Care Hospital: A Retrospective Study
Dr. Tanu Y M1, Dr. Venkatachalapathy T S2, Dr. Anubhav C3, Dr. Sushmitha R4, Dr. Adithi Rajeevan5
1Department of General Surgery, 2Department of Pediatric Surgery,
Sapthagiri Medical College, NPS University, Bangalore, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Tanu Y M
ABSTRACT
Background: Neonatal surgical emergencies are major contributors to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis, timely referral, prompt surgery, and specialized neonatal care are essential for improving outcomes.
Objectives: To evaluate the pattern of neonatal surgical emergencies, associated congenital anomalies, postoperative complications, clinical outcomes, and hospital stay among neonates at a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A retrospective observational study included 58 neonates with surgical emergencies admitted to the Pediatric Surgery Department and NICU of a tertiary care hospital. Data on demographics, diagnosis, congenital anomalies, postoperative complications, clinical outcomes, and hospital stay were collected from medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's Exact Test, and Kruskal–Wallis Test were applied, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: Among the 58 neonates studied, anorectal malformation (ARM) was the most common surgical emergency, accounting for 20.7% of cases, followed by pelviureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction (17.2%) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) (13.8%). Associated congenital anomalies were most frequently observed in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (66.7%), intestinal atresia (60.0%), and ARM (58.3%). Postoperative morbidity was highest in intestinal atresia (100.0%), followed by CDH (66.7%) and TEF (62.5%), with a significant association between diagnosis and morbidity (p = 0.0021). Mortality was observed only in intestinal atresia (20.0%) and TEF (12.5%). The longest hospital stay was noted in intestinal atresia (28.8 ± 5.3 days), while PUJ obstruction had the shortest stay (5.3 ± 1.3 days). Duration of hospital stay differed significantly among diagnostic categories (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Anorectal malformation was the most common neonatal surgical emergency in the present study. Intestinal atresia, CDH, and TEF were associated with higher morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. Early diagnosis, multidisciplinary management, and advanced neonatal surgical care are essential for improving outcomes and reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Keywords: Anorectal Malformation; Congenital Anomalies; Neonatal Surgical Emergencies; Neonatal Outcome, Tracheoesophageal Fistula.
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