Survival and outcome of infants weighing <800 grams at birth

Article Abstract:

Advancements in neonatal medicine have improved the outcomes of low-birth weight (LBW) infants who are born weighing less than about 2.2 pounds (1,000 grams). Earlier studies generally examined the neurodevelopmental outcome of the larger group of LBW infants. To help further define the neonatal interventions that have an impact upon survival, a small subgroup of 80 extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants weighing between 1.1 and 1.8 pounds (500 and 799 grams) was studied. Twenty-one variables experienced by the mother and the infant were assessed. The factors influencing survival the most were the five-minute Apgar score, an assessment of fetal well-being performed one and then five minutes after birth, and the initial pH, the acidity of the fetus's blood obtained within the first hour of birth. Apgar score and pH reflect physiological maturity of the fetus. The lower the Apgar score at five minutes and the more acidic the fetus's blood, the more likely the infant would not survive. Long-term outcome of ELBW infants was performed on children between 17 months and seven years of age. Neurological and intellectual impairments were detected in 72 percent of the surviving children. Seventeen children (61 percent) had intelligence quotients (IQs) falling between 71 and 84, while eight children (28 percent) were considered normal. Three children (11 percent) who had IQs below 70 had cerebral palsy and mental retardation. ELBW children were more likely to be shorter and weigh less than the 10th percentile later in life, 59 percent and 63 percent respectively. As the survival of ELBW infants improves, more special educational programs will be required to meet their special needs. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects

---

Comparison of associated high-risk factors and perinatal outcome between symmetric and asymmetric fetal intrauterine growth retardation

Article Abstract:

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) can result in low birth weight and is an important cause of infant morbidity and mortality. There are two different types of IUGR, symmetric and asymmetric. When infant body weight and head sized are less than those reported for 90 percent of all other infants of the same age the infant is said to have symmetric IUGR. However, when infant body weight is low, but head size is normal, the infant is said to have asymmetric IUGR. To determine the risk factors and outcome associated with both types of IUGR, 718 IUGR infants were identified from 22,616 births (3.2 percent); of these, 273 infants had symmetric IUGR and 445 infants had asymmetric IUGR. Risk factors associated with IUGR included maternal smoking, preeclampsia (a condition characterized by water retention and high blood pressure during pregnancy), poor maternal weight gain during pregnancy, anemia, drug abuse, and alcohol abuse. Thirty-three percent of the infants with symmetric IUGR and 12 percent of those with asymmetric IUGR were born before term (premature). Nine percent of those with symmetric IUGR and 2 percent of those with asymmetric IUGR died. Six percent of those with symmetric and 3 percent of those with asymmetric IUGR had birth defects. Infants with symmetric IUGR were more often born to mothers with preeclampsia, delivered earlier, and weighed less than those with asymmetric IUGR. It is concluded that infants with symmetric IUGR are more likely to be delivered before term, have higher rates of morbidity, and lower birth weights than those with asymmetric IUGR. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Risk factors, Fetus, Fetal growth retardation

---

Perinatal regionalization and neonatal mortality in North Carolina, 1968-1994

Article Abstract:

Between 1968 and 1994, the number of low-birth-weight and premature babies born at a level 3 hospital in North Carolina increased and these babies had a better prognosis than babies born at a level 1 or level 2 hospital. Level 3 hospitals provide the highest number of services and usually have a neonatal intensive care unit.

Statistical Data Included, Evaluation, Hospitals, Premature birth

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Suicide risk and treatments for patients with bipolar disorder. A 25-Year-Old Woman With Bipolar Disorder
• Abstracts: Clinical features of Nipah virus encephalitis among pig farmers in Malaysia
• Abstracts: Oil on troubled waters? Feeding problems in elderly patients. Drug administration via a nasogastric tube
• Abstracts: Extent and effectiveness of the Scope of Professional Practice. Fit for practice: Part 5.1: Accountability, autonomy and standards
• Abstracts: The Zavanelli maneuver for relief of abdominal dystocia associated with gastroschisis. Fetal protein loss in gastroschisis as an explanation of associated morbidity

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.