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[Clinical course and prognostic factors in newborns with very low birth weight]

C Tapia Collados1, M A Feret Siguile, J L Serrano Martínez

  • 1Sección de Neonatología, Unidad de Salud Mental Infantil, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante.

Insights

Survival rates for infants under 1,500 grams birth weight were 69.87%, with severe neurodevelopmental sequelae affecting 22.6%. Lower birth weight significantly increased the risk of severe sequelae.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Infants born with very low birth weight (VLBW), defined as <1,500 grams, face significant risks for mortality and neurodevelopmental impairments.
  • Long-term outcomes for VLBW infants require careful monitoring to understand the incidence and severity of developmental sequelae.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the survival rates and neurodevelopmental sequelae in a cohort of 249 infants with birth weights under 1,500 grams.
  • To identify factors associated with adverse outcomes in this high-risk population.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study of 249 infants treated between 1986-1991 with birth weights <1,500 grams.
  • Follow-up assessments were conducted at corrected ages of 3, 6, 10, 18, 36 months, with results reported up to 18 months.
  • Neurodevelopmental sequelae were categorized by disability degree (moderate and severe).

Main Results:

  • Overall survival was 69.87%; 38.7% for infants <1,000 grams and 84.7% for those >1,000 grams.
  • 22.6% of infants experienced sequelae, with 11.6% moderate and 10.9% severe.
  • Severe sequelae incidence varied by birth weight: 25.8% (<1,000g), 13.9% (1,000-1,249g), and 1.6% (1,250-1,500g).

Conclusions:

  • Intracranial hemorrhage, hyperbilirubinemia, assisted ventilation, and persistent ductus arteriosus were significantly associated with sequelae.
  • No significant differences in sequelae were found related to multiple pregnancy, seizures, sepsis, or neonatal hypoxia.
Abstract

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