ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study is to evaluate the effect of intrauterine growth retardation on the mortality and morbidity in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI). METHODS: As retrospectively reviewing 266 ELBWI who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center, the effects of intrauterine growth on mortality and morbidity in ELBWI was assessed by comparing appropriate for gestational age (AGA) ELBWI to small for gestational age (SGA) ELBWI. RESULTS: The number of SGA and AGA infants was 65(24%), 201(76%) respectively. The mean gestational age of the SGA infants (28(+6)+/-2(+3) week) was significantly higher than in the AGA infants (26(+2)+/-1(+3) week) (P<0.001). The mean birth weight of the SGA infants (755+/-173 g) was significantly less than in the AGA infants (830+/-118 g) (P< 0.001). The mortality of the SGA infants (29%) was less than in the AGA infants (33%). However, when adjusted for gestational age, there was no statistically significant difference. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome of the SGA infants (66%) was significantly lower than in the AGA infants (87%). The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia of the SGA infants (20%) was lower than in the AGA infants (23%). However, when adjusted for gestational age, there were no statistically significant differences. There was no statistically significant association of SGA with intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity and necrotizing enterocolitis. CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant association of intrauterine growth retardation with mortality and morbidity in ELBWI.