Children less than 5 years old commonly occurred during neonatal period and majority of the deaths occurring in developing countries particularly sub Saharan African countries. To assess cause of neonate admission and factors associated with management outcomes among neonates admitted in the neonatal care unit of Ayder referral hospital in Tigray region ; Northern -Ethiopia. Institutional based cross-sectional record review study design was employed from February to May 2017, among 301 systematically selected neonatal cards from Ayder referral Hospital. Since the total number of neonates admitted at Ayder referral hospital from January 1 to December 31, 2015 were 1318 and the calculated sample size is 301 , so the ratio(K) of the two become 4.37 which is approximately 4. From the total of 301 admitted neonates, one hundred thirty one were inborn and the rest were out born. The five most important admission diagnosis were ranked as Neonatal jaundice 26(8.6%), late neonatal sepsis 24(8%), Early onset of neonatal sepsis(EONS) and prematurity with respiratory problem 23(7.6%), Early onset of neonatal sepsis 21(7%) and Congenital anomalies of spinal bifida occulta 15(5%). In relation to management outcome, from the total of 301 admitted neonates, 92.7% discharged improved ,and 6.6% died and the rest were left against medical advice and referred to other health facility. The leading cause of admission in neonatal intensive care unit of Ayder referral hospital were Neonatal jaundice followed by late onset of neonatal sepsis.

Keywords: Diagnose , admission , Mekelle, Ayder Referral Hospital, Ethiopia