ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate mortality and morbidity of very low birth weight infants(VLBW infants) born in the Busan area from 1996 to 2005. METHODS: A total of eight neonatal intensive care units (4 university hospitals and 4 general hospitals) in Busan participated in this study. A total of 1,414 VLBW infants were divided into three groups: period I, 1996 to 2000; period II, 1999 to 2002; period III, 2003 to 2005, based on date of birth. We performed a retrospective review of medical records of VLBWinfants and compared the survival rate, morbidity and mortality over the three periods. RESULT: The number of VLBW infants admitted to 8 NICUs in 1996-2005 was a total of 1,414 (1.3% incidence, mean gestational age 29.1+/-2.7 wk, mean birth weight 1158+/-235 g), including 361 (24.7%) extremely low birth weight infants (ELVW infants) who were less than 1,000 g at birth weight. Overall survival rate of VLBW infants was 66.1%. The survival rate of VLBW infants increased significantly over the three periods (period I:57.6%, period II:67.8%, period III:75.7%, P<0.01). Overall survival rate of ELBW infants was 33.8%, and increased from 26.4% in period I to 44.2% in period III (P<0.01). The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome was 45.1%; patent ductus arteriosus, 16.4%; bronchopulmonary dysplasia, 13.1%; blood culture positive sepsis, 12.7%; necrotizing enterocolitis, 6.6%; severe intracranial hemorrhage, 6.5%; and severe retinopathy of prematurity, 5.9%. The main causes of death were respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis. CONCLUSION: Overall survival rate of very low birth weight infant in Busan area during the last 10 years was 66.1%, and increased significantly over the three periods.