Short-term outcomes of extremely low birth weight infants in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit in Türkiye

Abstract

Background. Advances in neonatal care have led to increased survival of extremely preterm infants. Extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants, defined as infants weighing less than 1000 g at birth, constitute a significant portion of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients. The aim of this study is to determine the mortality and short-term morbidities of ELBW infants and assess the risk factors related to mortality. Methods. The medical records of ELBW neonates hospitalized in the NICU of a tertiary-level hospital between January 2017 and December 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. Results. 616 ELBW (289 females and 327 males) infants were admitted to the NICU during the study period. Mean birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA) for the total cohort were 725 ± 134 g (range 420-980 g) and 26.3 ± 2.1 weeks (range 22-31), respectively. The rate of survival to discharge was 54.5% (336/616) [33% for the infants with ≤750 g BW, 76% for the infants with 750-1000 g BW], and 45.2% of survived infants had no major neonatal morbidity at discharge. Independent risk factors for mortality of ELBW infants were asphyxia at birth, birth weight, respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary hemorrhage, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, and meningitis. Conclusions. The incidence of mortality and morbidity was very high in ELBW infants, particularly for neonates born weighing less than 750 g in our study. We suggest that preventive and more effective treatment strategies are needed for improved outcomes in ELBW infants.

Updated Clinical Practice Guidelines in Resuscitation and the Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Extremely Preterm Infants during Two Epochs in Romania: Impact on Outcomes

“…We did not observe any significant improvements in PVL (8.1%), NEC at all stages (22.8%), PDA (31.5%), sepsis/probable sepsis (21.5%), and ROP ≥ 2 (18.1%) rates between study periods. A Turkish study reported rates of severe IVH of 14.5%, severe NEC of 4.6%, PDA of 50.7%, late-onset sepsis of 24.0%, and severe ROP of 13.3% among ELBW infants between 2017 and 2021 [33].…”

Growth of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants (ELBW) born at a Tertiary Hospital: Statural catch-up growth continues during the 3rd year of life

“…ELBW infants exhibit distinctive growth patterns and developmental trajectories that demand close attention. (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) The significance of studying the postnatal growth of ELBW infants is underscored by a body of research that highlights the distinctive features of their growth patterns, nutritional requirements, and long-term consequences. Various studies have shed light on the challenges associated with ELBW infants' growth and the interventions aimed at mitigating them.…”