Apgar values lower than 7 associated with mortality in premature newborns: A retrospective study

To determine the risk factors associated with mortality in premature newborns (PNB).

An observational, descriptive, and retrospective study, carried out at the General Hospital of San Juan del Rio, Queretaro, Mexico. The medical records of PNB admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit from January until December 2018 were studied.

A total of 136 PNB were included (74 males and 62 females) of whom 16 (11.7%) died (9 males and 7 females). A correlation was observed between gestational age and birth weight with Apgar values at 1 and 5 minutes (r=0.37, p<0.001). A lower birth weight was found in premature infants with infectious diseases, as well as a lower gestational age in relation to respiratory diseases (p<0.0001). The PNB with Apgar values lower than 7 points at 1 and 5 minutes were more likely to die (p<0.0001). The PNB with very low birth weight (1-1.49 kg), with less than 28 weeks of gestation, and with infectious pathology showed more probabilities of dying (p<0.05).

Apgar values lower than 7 points in the PNB are associated with the presence of infectious diseases and mortality. Likewise, a lower gestational age represents a lower birth weight, with a higher risk for respiratory and infectious diseases, and consequently an elevated mortality.