Abstract
Neonatal respiratory distress (NRD) is a common neonatal problem, which is responsible for high morbidity and mortality. There are few published studies in developing countries addressing neonatal respiratory distress. There is no previously published study in Sudan on this problem. The objective of the study is to determine the frequency, different causes, immediate outcome. It was a prospective, descriptive, cross sectional hospital-based study which was carried out in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Omdurman Maternity Hospital, between February-March 2013. The study enrolled all Sudanese newborns from 0-28 days including normal, low and high birth weight of different gestational ages admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and diagnosed as neonatal respiratory distress. The frequency of NRD was calculated, the causes and immediate outcome were determined. Results showed that the frequency rate of NRD was (4.83%) among the total number of hospital (2071) live births during the period of the study. The commonest causes were transient tachypnoea of the newborn (TTN) in 28% of cases, sepsis in 24% of cases and hyaline membrane disease (HMD) in 15% of cases. The outcome of NRD was: cure in 56% of cases, death in 36% of cases, and patients discharged with complications in 8% of cases. In conclusion, the study confirmed the importance of NRD with a frequency rate of 4.83%, morbidity of 8% and mortality of 36% of cases. The causes and immediate outcome were determined and discussed. Some recommendations were suggested in order to reduce its frequency, morbidity and mortality.

Key words: Hyaline membrane disease; Neonatal sepsis; Neonate; Respiratory distress; Transient tachypnoea of newborn