Survival Rate and Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Infants in Taksin Hospital, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

Abstract

Survival Rate and Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Infants in Taksin Hospital, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

Taneenat    Treratvirapong              MD*

Mariam       Boonma                           MD*

Atjana        Thummaluxamee          MD*

Somchua     Atinapan                        BN**

Wanpen      Soodkratok                    BN**

* Department of Pediatrics, Taksin Hospital, BMA

** Nursing Department, Taksin Hospital, BMA

Objectives: To determine survival rate, outcomes and risk factors associated with mortality of very low birth weight infants in Taksin Hospital.

Study design: Retrospective descriptive study.

Subjects: A total of 185 infants weighing between 500 and 1,499 grams, born during October 2003 and September 2007 in Taksin Hospital, were enrolled.

Methods: Hospital records and labor reports were retrospectively reviewed and analysed.

Main outcome measures: Survival rate, outcomes and risk factors associated with neonatal mortality.

Results: Of the 185 very low birth weight infants, 149 (80.5%) infants survived till discharge while 23 out of 46 (50%) extremely low birth weight infants survived till discharge. Among the survival infants, 30 (20.1%), 4 (2.7%), 46 (30.9%) and 12 (8.1%) had chronic lung disease, stage III-IV retinopathy of prematurity, abnormal hearing screening and neurological deficit respectively. Major causes of neonatal death were respiratory distress and associated complications. In multivariable analysis, gestational age < 28 weeks (odds ratio (OR) = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.0-3.6), birth weight < 1,000 g (OR = 1.004, 95% CI: 1.001-1.006), APGAR score at 5 minutes ≤ 5 (OR = 8.7, 95% CI: 2.1-36.2), and sepsis (OR = 5.2, 95% CI: 1.62-16.5) were significant factors associated with very low birth weight infant's mortality.

Conclusion: The survival rate of very low birth weight infants in this study was close to some other reports in Thailand. The morbidity of these infants remained high especially in those extremely low birth weight infants.

Vajira Med J 2009 ; 53 : 41 - 50