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[Clinical analysis of 105 extremely low birth weight infants]
Rong Zhang1, Ke Zhang1, Lin Yuan1
1Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China.
Insights
Outcomes for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants show high rates of complications like respiratory syndrome and sepsis. Improving survival requires antenatal steroids, infection prevention, and nutritional support for these vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Perinatology
- Pediatric Critical Care
Context:
- Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants represent a vulnerable population with significant morbidity.
- Understanding trends in ELBW infant outcomes is crucial for improving care.
- This study examines outcomes and complications in ELBW infants over a defined period.
Purpose:
- To explore changes in outcome and morbidity among extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.
- To identify major complications and mortality causes in ELBW infants.
- To assess the utilization of antenatal steroids in high-risk pregnancies.
Summary:
- A retrospective study of 105 ELBW infants revealed high incidences of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (84.8%), apnea (55.2%), sepsis (44.8%), and patent ductus arteriosus (43.8%).
- Sepsis was the leading cause of mortality, and extrauterine growth restriction affected 90.2% of infants at discharge.
- Antenatal steroid use was low (40.8%) in infants under 34 weeks gestation.
Impact:
- The increasing number of ELBW infants necessitates improved survival and long-term outcomes.
- Key interventions include antenatal steroids, noninvasive respiratory support, infection control, and optimized nutrition.
- These strategies are vital for enhancing survival rates and both short- and long-term prognoses for ELBW infants.
Objective:
To explore the changes of outcome and morbidity in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.
Methods:
A retrospective study was performed for ELBW infants admitted into Children's Hospital, Fudan University within 24 hours after birth from January 2007 to December 2011. The maternal and neonatal data were collected by reviewing the medical charts and entered into the dataset.
Results:
A total of 105 ELBW infants (54 males, 51 females) were enrolled. The average gestational age was (28.4 ± 2.6)weeks and birth weight was (860 ± 121)g. Neonatal respiratory syndrome (NRDS) (n = 89, 84.8%), apnea(n = 58, 55.2%), sepsis (n = 47, 44.8%) and patent ductus arteriosus (n = 46, 43.8%) remained their major complications.Sepsis was the commonest cause of mortality (7/17) excluding social factors. The incidence of extrauterine growth restriction (46/51, 90.2%) was significantly high at discharge. And the use of antenatal steroids was merely 40.8% (42/103) in ELBW infants at a gestation age under 34 weeks.
Conclusions:
The number of ELBW infants has increased dramatically. Antenatal steroids, noninvasive respiratory support, prevention of infections and optimal nutrition supports are key factors of improving the survival rate, short and long-term outcomes of ELBW infants.
