Assessing Mortality Risk in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Abstract

ntroduction: Preterm birth is the most important univariant risk factor of neonatal mortality. Assessment of risk factors affecting mortality in preterm infants with very low birth weight is important for the treatment of this highly vulnerable population. Objective: Detection of risk factors for neonatal mortality in very low birth weight premature infants. Methods: The current study was conducted in a tertiary research and educational hospital, NICU, Pediatric Clinic KCU Sarajevo, from January 2010 to December 2010. After admission CRIB score was determined to every hospitalized infant with birth weight <1500g, born before the full 31 weeks of gestation (30 weeks +6 days). We also gathered information about the Apgar score in 5th minute, gender, presence of respiratory distress syndrome and hemodynamic stability. 67 infants fulfilled inclusion criteria. Results: Mean birth weight was 1136.4 g ± 250.9, range 550-1500 g. Mean gestational age was 27.29 weeks ±1.97, range 22-30 weeks. Mean CRIB score was 3.22, range 0-18. Twenty VLBW infants out of 67 died (29.85%). There was significant difference between groups of survived and dead infants regarding gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, Crib score, base excess, presence of respiratory distress syndrome and hemodynamic stability at the birth. Conclusion: CRIB score, birth weight, gestational age, base excess, Apgar score, respiratory distress syndrome and hemodynamic instability are valuable predictors for a neonatal mortality in population of preterm infants with very low birth weight. Key words: very low birth weight preterm infant, neonatal mortality, risk factor.

Clinicoepidemiological Profile and Predictors of Mortality in LBW Babies:A Hospital Based Observational Study

“…The difference between mortality among LBW, VLBW and ELBW neonates was found to be statistically significant as was found in a number of other studies conducted by Gera, et al, Basu, et al, Terzic, et al, Dong, et al, Mukhyopadhyay, et al [7][8][9][10][11]. This observation is consistent with our clinical understanding that survival decreases as birth weight decreases.…”

“…The difference was statistically significant. Terzic, et al [9] and Brito, et al [5] also had similar results while assessing mortality in very low birth weight babies. However our study studied usefulness of CRIB score in all admitted LBW babies.…”

Early mortality after neonatal surgery: analysis of risk factors in an optimized health care system for the surgical newborn

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Contributing death factors in very low-birth-weight infants by path method analysis

“…The most important factors contributing to infants’ death are: Maternal age, health and physical status; the Apgar score at birth; infant's weight at birth; and duration of hospital stay 8910…”