Changes in Outcome and Complication Rates of Very-low-birth-weight Infants in One Tertiary Center in Southern Taiwan Between 2003 and 2010

Abstract

Neonatal intensive care has changed dramatically over the past few decades and the survival of infants has generally improved in many countries. The purpose of this study was to explore the recent evolution of mortality and morbidities among very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants in southern Taiwan. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of VLBW (birth weight 60 days were both reduced in the period of 2007–2010. With further stratification by BBW, the major reduction of long LOS was only found in the group of BBW ≥ 1000 g. The multivariate logistic regression model found PDA, CLD, and BBW < 1000 g were major complications to be associated with long LOS among surviving infants. Conclusion: Periodic evaluation of the mortality and morbidity of preterm infants can help to understand the changes and trends of our neonatal care. Further study using the national dataset to provide more representative information is warranted.

Keywords

• length of stay
• morbidity
• mortality
• preterm