Outcomes of VLBW (Birth weight <1500 grams) infants at Surya Children's Hospital, Mumbai, India

<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate mortality and short-term outcomes in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants admitted to the tertiary neonatal intensive care unit of Surya Children's Hospital in year 2012, Mumbai, India. Design: Prospective descriptive cohort study</p> <p><strong>Setting: </strong>Tertiary neonatal intensive care unit of Surya children's Hospital, Mumbai</p> <p><strong>Participants and Methods:</strong> Acohort of 156 VLBW infants admitted in neonatal units of Surya Children's Hospital. Study data were recorded prospectively from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2012. A total of 37 variables were collected as regards, perinatal risk and protective factors, demographic characteristics, length of stay, interventions, morbidity and mortality.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> In the present study, overall survival rate was 133/156 (85%) for less than 1500 grams neonates. The survival rates were 44/61 (72%) for babies with gestational age &le;28 weeks, 59/63 (94%) for babies with gestational age between 29 to 32 weeks and 30/32 (94%) for babies with gestational age &gt;32 weeks. PIH was reported in 51/156 (32.7%) mothers, 10/156 (6.4%) mother had GDM, while 29/156 (18.5%) mother had Chorioamnionitis. The antenatal steroid usage for facilitating fetal lung maturation was reported in 117/156 (75%). The rate of cesarean section rate was 111/156(71%). The mean birth weight of VLBW infants was 1104 grams and mean gestational age was 30 weeks. Respiratory distress syndrome was diagnosed in 102/156 (65.5%) of the infant. In VLBW infants, 124/156 (79.5%) babies needed oxygen supplementation, 62/156 (40%) needed CPAP support and 100/156 (64%) needed ventilatory support at some time during NICU stay. A32/156 (20.5%) did not require any form of respiratory support. CLD occurred in 35/156 (22%) of infants. Suspected or proven sepsis occurred in 101/156 (65%) infants. IVH (all grades) frequency was 10/144 (7%), where as sever IVH (grade 3 or more) occurred in 4/144 (3%). APDAof &ge;1.5 mm was found in 61/156 (40%). NEC of stage II or more developed in 11/156 (7%) infants. ROP (all grades) occurred in 102/126 (81%) but only 39/120 (38%) had required treatment either with laser or anti-VEGF. The mean Time to regain birth weight was 11.7 days and mean time to achieve full feeds was 10.2 days. The mean duration of NICU stay 42 days. Mean gestational age at the time of discharge or transfer was 36 weeks of CGA. And the mean weight at discharge was 1944 grams.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> We found that the survival rates of VLBW infants are improving with advances in neonatal care.</p>