Korean J Perinatol.  2010 Dec;21(4):395-402.

Recent Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Infants of the Three University Hospital in the Busan Area

• Kim EY
• Jung JM
• Jung YJ
• Kim MJ
• Jeon GW
• Hong YR
• Sin JB

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The survival rate of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) has increased markedly in Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcome of VLBWI in Busan area.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 273 VLBWI less than 1,500 g who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care units of three university hospitals in Busan between January, 2007, to December, 2008. The survival rate, distribution of infants by birth weight and gestational age, and complications were compared with previous reports in Busan.
RESULTS
We enrolled 273 VLBWI, including 31.1% extremely low birth weight infants, and the overall survival rate of VLBWI was 77.3%. Mean gestational age was 29.2+/-2.9 weeks and birth weight was 1,115+/-249 g. Infants weighing <750 g, 750-999 g, 1,000-1,249 g and 1,250-1,499 g showed survival rates of 30.4%, 62.9%, 83.0%, and 92.0%, respectively. Infants at < or =24 weeks, 25-26 weeks, 27-28 weeks and > or =29 weeks had survival rates of 25.0%, 57.5%, 75.0%, and 91.0%, respectively. Survival rates by birth weight (<750 g, 750-999 g) and gestational age (< or =24 weeks, 25-26 weeks) had increased significantly compared to 2003-2005. Common morbidities of VLBWI included respiratory distress syndrome (54.9%), patent ductus arteriosus (33.3%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (31.5%), sepsis (20.1%), necrotizing enterocolitis (7.3%), retinopathy of prematurity (> or =stage III) (6.2%) and intraventricular hemorrhage (> or =Gr III) (5.1%).
CONCLUSIONS
The survival rate of VLBWI born in Busan was 77.3% over the past 2 years. Survival rates of extreme prematurity weighing less than 1,000g and gestational age of < or =26 weeks were significantly increased.

Keyword

Infant; Very low birth weight; Infant; Extremely low birth weight; Survival rate; Rrespiratory distress syndrome

MeSH Terms

Birth Weight
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Ductus Arteriosus, Patent
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing
Gestational Age
Hemorrhage
Hospitals, University
Humans
Infant
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
Korea
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Retrospective Studies
Sepsis
Survival Rate