J Korean Pediatr Soc.  2003 Aug;46(8):769-776.

Changes in Incidence, Survival Rate and Morbidity of Very Low Birth Weight Infants

• Kim YO
• Kim SH
• Cho CY
• Choi YY
• Kook JH
• Hwang TJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
The survival rate of very low birth weight infants(VLBWI) has improved by virtue of specialized neonatal care. This study was performed to analyze the changes in incidence, survival rate and morbidity of VLBWI who admitted to Chonnam National University Hospital from 1996 to 2001.
METHODS
We enrolled 565 VLBWI, and compared the incidence and the survival rate according to the birth weight or gestational weeks between period I(1996 to 1998) and period II(1999 to 2001). The mortality rate according to the postnatal age, cause of death, morbidity and days of hospital stay were also compared. Morbidity is categorized into 'short term' which is curable until discharge, and 'long term' causing any types of sequelae after discharge.
RESULTS
Incidence of VLBWI significantly increased in period II over period I(6.0% vs. 11.0%, P<0.001). The survival rate also increased in period II(71.8% vs. 80.1%, P<0.05), especially in 1,000 to 1,249 gm of birth weight(P<0.001) and in 28 to 30 weeks of gestation(P<0.001). The most common cause of death was respiratory distress syndrome in period I; however it was sepsis in period II. Although overall and short term morbidity rate increased, long term morbidity and days of hospital stay didn't increase in period II.
CONCLUSION
Although the incidence of VLBWI significantly increased and the survival improved in period II compared to period I, especially in 1,000 to 1,249 gm of birth weight and 28 to 30 weeks of gestation, 'long term' morbidity rate and hospital days didn't increase.

Keyword

Very low birth weight infant; Survival rate; Morbidity

MeSH Terms

Birth Weight
Cause of Death
Humans
Incidence*
Infant*
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*
Jeollanam-do
Length of Stay
Mortality
Parturition
Pregnancy
Sepsis
Survival Rate*
Virtues