Morbidities and mortalities in very low birth weight newborn a cohort study at tertiary care center of Central India

Abstract

ery low birth weight (VLBW) neonates represent a vulnerable group of newborns with a high mortality rate. The survival in neonates is associated with their birth weights, gestation, and illness severity. The survival rate of VLBW infants varies globally with 40% in developing countries to more than 90% in developed countries [1]. VLBW neonates who survived tend to have a higher risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities causing significant changes to the lives of their families [2]. Varied morbidities have been associated during initial hospitalization of VLBW infants, including respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), bloodstream and central nervous system infections, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), chronic lung disease (CLD), intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, and retinopathy of prematurity, leading to exposure to additional diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical interventions. These cause psychological distress to families with an increase in the length of hospital stay, the risk of recurrent hospitalization, and costs of treatment [3].The morbidities in infants are proved to be associated with neurodevelopmental disabilities developing later including cerebral palsy, cognitive delay, hearing loss, and visual impairment [4,5]. According to several studies performed about morbidity and mortality and morbidity of neonates in the past two decades, no additional improvements have been seen [6]. Data are scarce on the incidence of short-term morbidities in preterm neonates from India. Bhat and Adhisivam concluded that early weaning from mechanical ventilator support in VLBW infants reduced morbidities such as CLD and infections [7]. The present study was designed and executed to assess the short-term outcomes of neonates with birth weights between 1000 g and 1500 g treated at the tertiary hospital of Central India. MATERIALS AND METHODSThis prospective cohort study was conducted in the NICU, conducted at the tertiary hospital of Central India from April 2014 to March 2015. It was a level 3 NICU with 20 intensive care beds and 6 bedded kangaroo mother care (KMC) ward with an annual admission of more than 1000 cases. All live VLBW neonates (1000-1500 g), admitted between the study period, were enrolled for the study. Extremely low weight (<1000 g), low birth weight (1500-2500 g), and normal birth weight (>2500 g) neonates