Abstract

FERNANDEZ, Rocío  and  RED NEONATAL NEOCOSUR et al. Survival and morbidity of very low birth weight infant in a South American Neonatal Network. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2014, vol.112, n.5, pp.405-412. ISSN 0325-0075.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5546/aap.2014.405.

Objective. To analyze survival and relevant morbidity by gestational age (GA) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g) and, based on these data, develop a fact sheet to provide information to perinatal healthcare providers and very low birth weight preterm infants'parents. Study Design. Data were prospectively collected in relation to newborn infants with a birth weight between 500 g and 1500 g admitted to 45 sites of the Neocosur Neonatal Network (Red Neonatal Neocosur) between January 2001 and December 2011. Results. Data on 8234 VLBW with a GA between 24⁺⁰ and 31⁺⁶ weeks were analyzed. Overall mortality was 26% (95% CI: 25.0-26.9), including 2.6% of deaths in the delivery room. Fact sheets for survival and morbidity for each week of gestation were developed based on collected data. Survival at discharge increased from 29% at 24 weeks of GA to 91% at 31 weeks of GA (p < 0.001). The incidence of relevant neonatal morbidity was inversely related to GA (p < 0.001). Overall, 30.8% had retinopathy of prematurity, 25% bronchopulmonary dysplasia, 10.9% necrotizing enterocolitis, 7.2% severe intraventricular hemorrhage, and 4.6% periventricular leukomalacia. Among survivors, 47.3% had none of these five conditions. Conclusions. A tool for use in a clinical setting was developed based on updated regional data for establishing week-to-week survival and morbidity of newborn infants born between 24⁺⁰and 31⁺⁶ weeks of GA. This information could be used to make decisions related to perinatal care and for counseling parents.

Keywords : Very low birth weight infant; Gestational age; Survival; Morbidity.

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