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Ten-year review of major birth defects in VLBW infants

Ira Adams-Chapman1, Nellie I Hansen, Seetha Shankaran

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA. iadamsc@emory.edu

Pediatrics
|June 5, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Birth defects (BDs) are a significant cause of infant mortality, especially in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Their prevalence increased over a decade, highlighting ongoing challenges in neonatal care.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Medical Genetics

Background:

  • Birth defects (BDs) are a major contributor to infant mortality, disproportionately affecting infants with very low birth weight (VLBW).
  • Understanding the prevalence and impact of BDs in VLBW infants is crucial for improving neonatal outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of BDs in a large cohort of VLBW infants over a 10-year period.
  • To examine the relationship between specific anomalies, neonatal outcomes, and surgical interventions in VLBW infants with BDs.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective data collection for infants weighing 401 to 1500 g at Neonatal Research Network (NRN) sites from 1998 to 2007.
  • Poisson regression models were used to analyze the risk of outcomes for infants with and without BDs, adjusting for gestational age and other factors.

Main Results:

  • A BD was identified in 4.8% of 37,262 VLBW infants, with prevalence increasing from 4.0% to 5.6% between 1998 and 2007.
  • Chromosomal and cardiovascular anomalies were most common. Infants with BDs had higher mortality (49% vs 18%) and were more likely to undergo major surgery if they survived beyond 3 days.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of birth defects among VLBW infants increased significantly over the 10-year study period.
  • BDs continue to be a critical factor in neonatal morbidity and mortality for VLBW infants, necessitating continued research and improved clinical management.
Abstract

Keywords:
Neonatal Research Networkbirth defectslow birth weightprematurity

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