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Mortality and morbidity of very preterm infants in R omania: How are we doing?
Author(s) -
Suciu Laura Mihaela,
Puscasiu Lucian,
Szabo Bela,
Cucerea Manuela,
Ognean Maria Livia,
Oprea Ioan,
Bell Edward F.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/ped.12219
Subject(s) - medicine , retinopathy of prematurity , necrotizing enterocolitis , bronchopulmonary dysplasia , gestational age , pediatrics , intensive care , population , neonatal intensive care unit , gestation , obstetrics , pregnancy , intensive care medicine , genetics , environmental health , biology
Background Birth before 28 weeks of gestation is associated with high mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to examine characteristics associated with in‐hospital mortality and morbidity among extremely low‐birthweight neonates admitted to three tertiary care centers in R omania. Methods The study was conducted in three R omanian hospitals with level‐ III neonatal intensive care units. We studied singleton live births at the established R omanian limit of viability (i.e., 25–28 weeks' gestational age) born between J anuary 2007 and D ecember 2010 ( n = 227). Infants born in non‐level‐III facilities transferred to these three centers were included in our study ( n = 39). Descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses were used to describe the population and examine outcomes and risk factors. Results During the study period, 62 neonates (27.3%) were delivered at 25 weeks, 56 (24.7%) were delivered at 26 weeks, 56 (24.7%) at 27 weeks, and 53 (23.3%) at 28 weeks. Overall in‐hospital mortality was 65% (from 85% at 25 weeks to 35% at 28 weeks). The rates for major morbidities were necrotizing enterocolitis 8.8%, bronchopulmonary dysplasia 12.5%, and retinopathy of prematurity (stage higher than 2) 26.2%. Conclusions During 2007–2010, in‐hospital survival of infants admitted to three neonatal intensive care units in R omania was 35% and ranged from 14% at 25 weeks to 64% at 28 weeks.