J Korean Soc Neonatol.  2007 Nov;14(2):206-214.

Changes in the Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Infants in Busan Area

• Wang SW
• Lee YA
• Park SE
• Shin JB
• Hong YR
• Park JJ
• Lee JA
• Son SH
• Byun SO
• Kim JP

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate mortality and morbidity of very low birth weight infants(VLBW infants) born in the Busan area from 1996 to 2005.
METHODS
A total of eight neonatal intensive care units (4 university hospitals and 4 general hospitals) in Busan participated in this study. A total of 1,414 VLBW infants were divided into three groups: period I, 1996 to 2000; period II, 1999 to 2002; period III, 2003 to 2005, based on date of birth. We performed a retrospective review of medical records of VLBWinfants and compared the survival rate, morbidity and mortality over the three periods. RESULT: The number of VLBW infants admitted to 8 NICUs in 1996-2005 was a total of 1,414 (1.3% incidence, mean gestational age 29.1+/-2.7 wk, mean birth weight 1158+/-235 g), including 361 (24.7%) extremely low birth weight infants (ELVW infants) who were less than 1,000 g at birth weight. Overall survival rate of VLBW infants was 66.1%. The survival rate of VLBW infants increased significantly over the three periods (period I:57.6%, period II:67.8%, period III:75.7%, P<0.01). Overall survival rate of ELBW infants was 33.8%, and increased from 26.4% in period I to 44.2% in period III (P<0.01). The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome was 45.1%; patent ductus arteriosus, 16.4%; bronchopulmonary dysplasia, 13.1%; blood culture positive sepsis, 12.7%; necrotizing enterocolitis, 6.6%; severe intracranial hemorrhage, 6.5%; and severe retinopathy of prematurity, 5.9%. The main causes of death were respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis.
CONCLUSION
Overall survival rate of very low birth weight infant in Busan area during the last 10 years was 66.1%, and increased significantly over the three periods.

Keyword

Very low birth weight infant; Survival rate; Morbidity

MeSH Terms

Birth Weight
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Busan*
Cause of Death
Ductus Arteriosus, Patent
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing
Gestational Age
Hospitals, University
Humans
Incidence
Infant*
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*
Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
Intracranial Hemorrhages
Medical Records
Mortality
Parturition
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Retrospective Studies
Sepsis
Survival Rate