Table 2.

Characteristics of neonates who were admitted to the NICU at referral hospitals in eastern Ethiopia, 2023 (n = 408).

Variables	Category	Frequency (n)	Percent (%)
Sex of neonate	Male	187	45.83
	Female	221	54.17
Length of hospital stay	≤7 days	143	35.05
	8–14 days	137	33.58
	≥15 days	128	31.37
Previous neonate admission	None	318	77.94
	Once and more	90	22.06
Baby breast feeding	Yes	280	68.63
	No	128	31.37
Gestational age	Preterm	161	39.46
	Term	226	55.39
	Postterm	21	5.15
Birth weight	LBW	155	37.99
	Normal birth weight	217	53.92
	Macrosomia	33	8.089
Admission diagnosis	Prematurity	64	15.68
	Infection	102	25.00
	Jaundice	47	11.52
	Birth asphyxia	53	12.99
	Congenital malformation	15	3.68
	Respiratory problem	53	12.99
	Low birth weight	17	4.17
	Hypothermia	30	7.35
	Others	27	6.62

Others included macrosomia, birth trauma, anaemia, neonatal seizure, meconium aspiration syndrome, and haemorrhagic diseases of the newborn.