Chonnam Med J.  2007 Dec;43(3):181-190.

The Changes of Rate and Mortality of Low Birth Weight Infants andIts Relating Factors-Past 25 Years in Chonnam University Hospital

• Kook JH
• Kim SH
• Kim MJ
• Song ES
• Choi YY

Abstract

As the fertility rate decreases, the rate of low birth weight (LBW) infants is increasing in Korea. However, the mortality and morbidity of very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants were still higher than in other advanced countries. The aims of this study were to define the rate and mortality of LBW infants for 25 years from 1980 to 2004, and to delineate their relating factors. The rates of LBW, VLBW, and ELBW infants in Chonnam University Hospital (CUH) and their mortality were compared with an average of all data reported in Korea. And also, perinatal factors associated with LBW infants were analyzed. The rate of LBW infants increased from 13.6% to 25.0% for 25 years. The rates of VLBW and ELBW infants also increased from 2.3% to 9.0%, and from 0.6% to 3.5%, respectively. Mortality of LBW infants decreased from 16.1% to 5.1% for 25 years in CUH. Mortality of VLBW and ELBW infants also decreased from 53.3% to 17.4%, and from 83.8% to 41.8%, respectively. The risk of delivering LBW was higher in teen or old aged pregnancy, and in primipara. The rate of LBW was higher in multiplets, and C-section. To decrease the rate of LBW infants, the importance should be imposed on supportive measures to teen or old age pregnancy and multiple pregnancy, and on efforts to reduce the rate of unnecessary C-section delivery.

Keyword

Infant; Low birth weight; Mortality

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Birth Rate
Female
Humans
Infant*
Infant, Low Birth Weight*
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
Jeollanam-do*
Korea
Mortality*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Multiple