Mortality and Morbidity of Very Low Birth Weight Infants in Busan Area during Recent 6 Years

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate mortality and morbidity of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants born in Busan from 1996 to 2001. METHOD: Seven neonatal intensive care units (including 3 university hospitals and 4 general hospitals) in Busan participated for this study. We performed retrospective review of 756 VLBW infants who were born in this area during study period was done to assess their mortality and morbidity. RESULT: The total number of VLBW infant was 756 (incidence 0.97%, mean gestational age 29.5 +/- 2.9 wk, mean birth weight 1165+/-232 g) including 187 extremely low birth weight infants who were less than 1, 000 g birth weight (24.7%). The survival rate was 61.0% (461 of 756). It increased from 56.4% in early period (1996 to 1998) to 65.2% in late period (1999 to 2001) (P<0.01). The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome was 61.5% (466 of 756), patent ductus arteriosus 12.3% (93 of 756), blood culture positive sepsis 10.2% (77 of 756), bronchopulmonary dysplasia 9.3% (70 of 756), severe intracranial hemorrhage 6.5% (49 of 756), necrotizing enterocolitis 4.9% (37 of 756), severe retinopathy of prematurity 3.7 % (28 of 756). The main causes of death were respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis. CONCLUSION: The survival rate of VLBW infant in Busan area during recent 6 years was 61.0%, which is lower than other single unit result of our country, recent Japanese or North American data. We think both modernized facilities in NICU and well-trained medical personnel are needed to improve survival.