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Abstract

Objective: Very low birth weight infants make a large contribution to neonatal mortality and morbidity. Mortality and morbidities vary according to birth weight and to gestational age. Moreover, clinical outcomes may vary between different areas as a result of specific treatment strategies in individual intensive care units. Therefore, databases about very low birth weight babies, classified on the basis of GA and BW, important for clinical decision-making. Published data on outcomes of very low birth weight infants from Bangladesh are also limited. The aim of the present study was to assess the short-term outcomes of infants with birth weights less than 1500 g treated at Square Hospital, Dhaka, over a 2 years period and the outcomes in neonates with Gestational age <30 wks were compared with infants with gestational age 30wks or more in very low birth weight group. Patients and methods: Data of very low birth weight infants, admitted at Squire Hospitals from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2013 were recorded prospectively. The outcomes in neonates with Gestational age <30 wks were compared with infants with gestational age 30wks or more in very low birth weight group. Results: A total of 109 infants with birth weights of 1500 g or less were included, 62 babies were ≥30 wks GA and 47 babies were <30 wks GA. 23 (21%) babies were Extreme low birth weight and 86(79%) babies were within 1000gm to 1500gm. 82(75%) babies survived to discharge. Survival rates were 6% and 75% for infants weighing <1000g and 1000g to 1500g respectively. Survival rate were 28(60%) and 54(87%) in GA<30wks and ≥ 30 wks respectively. Fifty five (50.4%) babies were male and mean (SD) gestational age (GA) was 29(2.46) weeks with a range of 24 to 35 weeks. Mean (SD) birth weight was 1184 (240) g with a range of 618g to 1500 g. 87(80%) of infants were born by cesarean section. The rate of patent ductus arteriosus was 39(36%), intraventricular hemorrhage 12(11%) and clinical sepsis was 82(75%), culture proven sepsis was 13(11.9%), RDS was 48(44%), 30% were ventilated with 35 %surfactant administration rate. Mean (SD) birth weight gain days was 18(7), mean (SD) discharge weight 1486(198) and mean (SD) stay days 23(14). RDS, PDA, sepsis, death more in <30 wks in comparison to ≥30 wks. More babies were ventilated and got surfactant in <30 wks. Pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage also more in <30wks. Conclusion: Survival of VLBW is more and complications less in ≥ 30weeks gestational age group.