Korean J Pediatr.  2009 Aug;52(8):881-887. 10.3345/kjp.2009.52.8.881.

Changes in the outcomes of neonatal intensive care unit at a single center over 12 years

• Lee HH
• Kim TY
• Shin SH
• Sung TJ

• KMID: 2281586
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2009.52.8.881

Abstract

PURPOSE
The survival rate of very low birth weight infant (VLBWI) had increased as a result of advances in neonatal intensive care. We evaluated the changes in outcomes of VLBWI who admitted to the neonatal care unit of Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital. METHODS: Retrospective review of 339 VLBWI who were born from 1st January 1997 to 31th December 2008 were performed. Outcomes including survival rate, birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA), morbidities, and mortality between period I (1997- 2003) and period II (2004-2008) were compared. RESULTS: Overall incidence of VLBWI was 2.3% and it was significantly higher in period II(3.3%). Mean BW and GA were significantly decreased in period II (P<0.001, P=0.01). The survival rate increased from period I (59.1%) to period II (74.2%). BW-specific survival rate increased in 1,000-1,249 gm and GA-specific survival rate significantly increased in 27-28 weeks and 29-30 weeks. The incidences of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, and necorotizing enterocolitis were same except patent ductus arteriosus. CONCLUSION: The survival rate of VLBWI was increased in period II, especially in less than 1,000 gm and below 27 weeks. This may be due to recent dramatic improvement of neonatal care. But more efforts are needed to improve outcome during initial phase and to reduce long term complication such as BPD and ROP.

Keyword

Very low birth weight infant; Outcome; Survival rate; Morbidity; Neonatal intensive care

MeSH Terms

Birth Weight
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Diterpenes
Ductus Arteriosus, Patent
Enterocolitis
Gestational Age
Heart
Hemorrhage
Humans
Incidence
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
Intensive Care, Neonatal
Leukomalacia, Periventricular
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Retrospective Studies
Sepsis
Survival Rate
Diterpenes