Survival and Outcome of Very Low Birth Weight Infants Born in a University Hospital with Level II NICU
Suthida Sritipsukho MD*, Tipvapa Suarod MD*, Paskorn Sritipsukho MD**
Affiliation : * Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University ** Graduate studies program, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University
Objectives : Determine the survivals, neonatal outcomes to hospital discharge, and perinatal risks of death
among VLBW infants born in the Thammasat University Hospital.
Materials and Methods : This was a retrospective longitudinal study. Data were colleted from medical charts of
all neonates with a gestational age of more than 25 weeks and birth weight of less than 1500 grams, who were
born in Thammasat University Hospital for a 3-year period between July 1st, 2003 and June 30th, 2006.
Antenatal history, perinatal data, and neonatal outcome until hospital discharge were extracted and ana-
lyzed.
Results : Seventy-eight neonates with a birth weight between 600-1,485 grams were analyzed. Survival rate of
very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants and extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants were 81% and 52%
respectively. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was the major cause of death. Major morbidity was found in
35% of survived infants to hospital discharge. Unfavorable outcome was documented in infants with a birth
weight < 750 grams. Perinatal risks of mortality among VLBW infants included no use of antenatal steroids
(p = 0.015), gestational age of < 28 weeks (p = 0.012), ELBW (p < 0.001), congenital abnormalities (p =
0.002), Apgar score at 5 minute < 5 (p = 0.019), needed endotracheal intubation in the delivery room (p <
0.001), and first temperature at NICU < 35.0oC (p = 0.023).
Conclusion : Overall survival and outcome among very-low-birth-weight infants born in Thammasat Univer-
sity Hospital is acceptable. The mortality and morbidity in extremely-low-birth-weight infants remained high.
A continuing audit of these measures should be encouraged.
Keywords : Survival, Outcome, Very low birth weight infants, Mortality, Morbidity, Intensive neonatal care
