Neonatal morbidity and early outcome of very preterm infants

Background: Although the mortality rate for preterm infants and the gestational age-specific mortality rate have dramatically improved over the last 3 to 4 decades, infants born preterm remain vulnerable to many complications, including respiratory distress syndrome, chronic lung disease, necrotizin...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Heljić Suada, Terzić Sabina, Spahović Raho, Maksić Hajrija
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Association of medical doctors Sanamed Novi Pazar 2013-03-01
Series:Sanamed
Subjects:
Online Access:http://sanamed.rs/sanamed_pdf/sanamed_8_1/NEONATAL_MORIDITY.pdf
Description
Summary:Background: Although the mortality rate for preterm infants and the gestational age-specific mortality rate have dramatically improved over the last 3 to 4 decades, infants born preterm remain vulnerable to many complications, including respiratory distress syndrome, chronic lung disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, a compromised immune system, cardiovascular disorders, hearing and vision problems, and brain lesions. The aim is to determine mortality and morbidity rates and selected outcome variables for preterm infant’s <30 weeks’ gestation, who were admitted to the NICU. Patients and methods: This study enrolled 102 infants with gestational age less than 30 weeks’ gestation, hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Hospital, Clinical University Center Sarajevo, from Jan. 2010 to Dec. 2010. Parameters taken at admission were: birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score, excess base and CRIB score. Early outcome is considered as a survival at discharge or common preterm morbidities presented during hospitalization Results: The mean BW of evaluated preterm infants was 1086 ±250 g, the mean GA27.89± 1.97, Apgar score 5.41 ± 1.76, excess base at admission 6.39 ± ± 1.74 and mean CRIB score 3.72 ± 3.16. The overall survival rate was 70.5%. Selected outcomes at discharge were: RDS with 70.5% infants treated with natural surfactant, PDA treated with NSAIDS (23.5%), brain injury (> grade 3 IVH or PVL) 16.6%, NEC Bell stages II or III 9.8%, BPD 25/72 (33.3%) of infants who survived to 36 weeks postmenstrual age. In 38 (37.2%) infants, episodes of infections were noticed (one or more episodes in 25 infants), half of them were caused by Gram positive bacteria, most frequent coagulasa negative staphylococci. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequent organism among Gram negative bacteria. One patient had invasive candidiasis caused by Candida albicans. In 5 infants (4.9%) early onset of sepsis was documented. Conclusion: Very preterm infants remain very vulnerable group of population, and interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality of preterm babies include tertiary interventions such as regionalized care, transportation in uterus, and treatment with antenatal steroids.
ISSN:1452-662X
2217-8171