All issues > Volume 52(8); 2009

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2009;52(8):881-887. Published online August 15, 2009.

Changes in the outcomes of neonatal intensive care unit at a single center over 12 years

Hyun-Hee HH Lee¹, Tae-Yeon TY Kim¹, Seon-Hee SH Shin¹, Tae-Jung TJ Sung¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Tae-Jung TJ Sung ,Email: neosung@hallym.or.kr

Abstract

Purpose
The survival rate of very low birth weight infant (VLBWI) had increased as a result of advances in neonatal intensive care. We evaluated the changes in outcomes of VLBWI who admitted to the neonatal care unit of Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital.
Methods
Retrospective review of 339 VLBWI who were born from 1st January 1997 to 31th December 2008 were performed. Outcomes including survival rate, birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA), morbidities, and mortality between period I (1997- 2003) and period II (2004-2008) were compared.
Results
Overall incidence of VLBWI was 2.3% and it was significantly higher in period II(3.3%). Mean BW and GA were significantly decreased in period II (P<0.001, P=0.01). The survival rate increased from period I (59.1%) to period II (74.2%). BW-specific survival rate increased in 1,000-1,249 gm and GA-specific survival rate significantly increased in 27-28 weeks and 29-30 weeks. The incidences of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, and necorotizing enterocolitis were same except patent ductus arteriosus.
Conclusion
The survival rate of VLBWI was increased in period II, especially in less than 1,000 gm and below 27 weeks. This may be due to recent dramatic improvement of neonatal care. But more efforts are needed to improve outcome during initial phase and to reduce long term complication such as BPD and ROP.

Keywords :Very low birth weight infant, Outcome, Survival rate, Morbidity, Neonatal intensive care