Korean J Pediatr.  2006 Oct;49(10):1050-1055. 10.3345/kjp.2006.49.10.1050.

Changes of neurodevelopmental outcomes and risk factors of very low birth weight infants below 1,500 g, in the last 10 years

• Lee SK
• Lee JH
• Lee SG

• KMID: 2279780
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2006.49.10.1050

Abstract

PURPOSE: As a result of advances in neonatal intensive care and perinatal care, neurodevelopmental outcomes of very low birth weight infant(VLBWIS) is expected to lead to improvement. The aim of this study was to report neurodevelopmental outcomes and risk factors of neurologic impairment of very low birth weight infants during the past 10 years. METHOD: We performed a retrospective study of 447 newborn infants below 1,500 gm admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Taegu Fatima Hospital between Janury 1996 and December 2004. Infants were subdivided into group 1(Jan. 1996 to Dec. 1998), group 2(Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2001), and group3(Jan. 2002 to Dec. 2004). We analyzed epidemiologic data to study changes of neurodevelopmental outcomes and risk factors of neurologic impairment. RESULT: The incidence of cerebral palsy and developmental delay decreased significantly in periods 2 and 3(vs period 1; cerebral palsy 10 percent, developmental delay; 18 percent, P<0.05). Periventricular leukomalacia incidence decreased in period 3(vs period 1; 14.5 percent, P<0.05). The overall survival rate of VLBWIS increased significantly in period 2 and 3(vs period 1; 90.0 percent, P<0.05). The risk factors of neurologic impairment are long-term ventilator care(above 1 wk), low Apgar score, low gestational age and low birth weight.
CONCLUSION
In the most recent 10 years, neurologic impairments of VLBWIS significantly decreased, as a result of advances in neonatal intensive care and perinatal care.

Keyword

Cerebral palsy; Risk factors; Inant; very low birth weight

MeSH Terms

Apgar Score
Cerebral Palsy
Daegu
Gestational Age
Humans
Incidence
Infant*
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*
Intensive Care, Neonatal
Leukomalacia, Periventricular
Perinatal Care
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors*
Survival Rate
Ventilators, Mechanical