Impact of COVID-19 on term admissions to neonatal care
This article analyses a retrospective study of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on term admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Sunderland Royal Hospital. Using data gathered between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020, the results from this repeat audit are compared with admission data from previous years and with figures from NHS England. This audit considers the impact of the pandemic on term admissions to the NICU, with a focus on social causes and other potentially avoidable reasons for admission.
James M. Hardy
Medical Student
Newcastle University Medical School
Sabina Iqbal
Medical Student
Newcastle University Medical School
Ruppa M. Geethanath
Neonatal Consultant, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Sunderland Royal Hospital
ruppa.geethanath@nhs.net

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- Term admissions as a percentage of all admissions to the NICU at SRH decreased between 2014 and 2019; however, there was an increase of 6% in 2020.
- The proportion of term infants admitted to SRH NICU for social reasons continues to be higher than the national average, though it decreased greatly between 2019 and 2020.
- Respiratory disease admissions increased in 2020, contributing to 57.1% of term admissions.
- Antenatal steroids were given to all eligible term mothers who underwent elective C-section before 39 weeks’ gestation in 2020 at SRH, as per national guidelines.
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