Mortality and Comorbidities in Extremely Low Birth Weight Thai Infants: A Nationwide Data Analysis

This is the first nationwide study aimed to evaluate in-hospital mortality and comorbidities of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants in Thailand between 2015-2020. Data of ELBW infants were collected from the National Health Coverage Scheme. The incidence of ELBW Thai infants was 1.75 per 1000 live births. Sixty-five percent of ELBW infants were delivered in tertiary-care facilities, with 63% surviving until discharge. In-hospital mortality was 36.9%. Non-invasive respiratory supports were documented in just 17.6% of the study population, whereas total parenteral nutrition was used in 52.3% of neonates. There were several comorbidities, with the three most frequent including respiratory distress syndrome (70.7%), neonatal jaundice (66.7%), and sepsis (60.4%). The median hospitalization cost for one ELBW infant who survived was 296,438.40 baht ($8719). Conclusion: Thailand had an acceptable ELBW infant survival rate (63%), but comorbidities remained particularly severe and cost one hundred times the median hospital cost for one ELBW infant that survived in comparison to a normal newborn infant. Better health outcomes require strategies to raise awareness of the issues and the appropriate implementation of evidence-based solutions, particularly improving neonatal care facilities, as well as early referral of high-risk pregnant women and neonates, which will aid in the future reduction of neonatal morbidities and mortalities.