Pattern, Management, and Short-Term Outcome of Neonatal Surgical Conditions
Sahwa Eltahir Mohamed Omer1*, Rasha Sidahmed Elhassan Omar2, Omer Saeed Magzoub3
1Pediatric Specialist, Sudan Medical Specialization Board, Sudan.
2Pediatric Specialist, AHS – SEHA, Al-Ain, Abu-Dhabi, UAE.
3Specialist General Pediatric, Ain Al-Khaleej Hospital, UAE.
*Corresponding Author: Dr. Sahwa Eltahir Mohamed Omer, Pediatric Specialist, Sudan Medical Specialization Board, Sudan.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAPD.2026.05.006
Received: March 27, 2026
Published: April 13, 2026
Citation: Omer SEM, Omar RSE, Magzoub OS. Pattern, Management, and Short-Term Outcome of Neonatal Surgical Conditions. SVOA Paediatrics 2026, 5:2, 47-55. doi: 10.58624/SVOAPD.2026.05.006
Abstract
Background: The neonatal population represents a significant portion of admissions to surgical wards, placing considerable strain on surgical units and healthcare facilities. Objective: This study examines the pattern, management, and short-term outcomes of neonatal surgical cases in pediatric surgery units.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted at the pediatric surgery units of Khartoum Teaching Hospital and Ibrahim Malik Teaching Hospital from January 2020 to August 2022. Data were collected from patient records, organized, entered, and analyzed using SPSS version 24.
Results: The study included 114 neonates with a male-to-female ratio of 1.2:1 and a term-to-preterm ratio of 10:1. Diagnoses were predominantly gastrointestinal (59, 51.8%), followed by CNS cases (23, 20.2%), abdominal wall defects (12, 10.5%), urological defects 8 (7%), a respiratory case 1 (0.9%), and others 11 (9.6%). The surgical procedures were primarily colostomy in 19 (18.4%), anoplasty in 14 (13.6%), back repair in 14 (13.6%), and rectal biopsy in 11 (10.7%). Overall, 103 (90.4%) of the neonates underwent surgery, but 23 (20.1%) resulted in mortality. Higher mortality rates were noted among low-birth-weight neonates, those lacking antenatal diagnoses, non-operated patients, and those with gastrointestinal disorders. However, the type of surgical procedure did not significantly affect outcomes.
Conclusion: This study highlights congenital anomalies as the primary neonatal surgical cases, with gastrointestinal conditions most common. A 20.1% mortality rate, driven by respiratory failure, sepsis, and delayed presentation, underscores the need for improved care in resource-limited settings.
Keywords: Pattern, Management, Short-Term Outcome, Neonatal Surgical Cases