Clinical observation for low birth weight infants

ABSTRACT

Clinical observations were made on 338 low birth weight infants, who were delivered at Pusan Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital, during the 3 year periods from 1989 to 1991. The results were as follows; The incidence of LBWI was 5.6% and sex ratio was 1:1.09. Among them AGA was 62.7%. 2) Of all infants, 47.3% were in the birth weight range of 2251-2500 gm and 25.1% were in the gestational age group of 37-38 week. 3) LBWI were most prevalent among mothers under 20 years old and over 41 years old. 4) The Incidence of LBWI was higher in multiparity than primiparity and in multiple pregnancy than single pregnancy. 5) Vaginal delivery was 63.9% and c-section delivery was 36.1%. 6) The order or frequency of the etiology of LBWI was multiple pregnancy, premature rupture of membrane and toxemia. 7) The mortality rate of LBWI was 12.7% and mortality rate by weight-gestational age was lower in AGA group than SGA and LGA group. 8) A Higher mortality rate was noted in the group of lower birth weight infant, and in the group of more shortened gestational age. 9) 48.8% of death occured within ist day of birth. The common causes of death were respiratory distress syndrome, asphyxia, and apnea.