Determinants of Survival till Discharge among Admitted Very Low Birth Weight Neonates in Zaria Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction
In comparison to babies with normal birth weight (BW), babies weighing < 2500 g at birth have increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Very low birth weight babies (BW= 1000 – 1499g) are at higher risk of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), sepsis, hypothermia and long term sequalae including neurodevelopmental delays and cerebral palsy. They also have a 22% chance of dying within their first year of life.

Objective:
To assess the determinants of survival till discharge in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates

Materials and Methods:
This was a retrospective review of patients’ records over a 10-year period from January 2005 to December 2014 involving neonates weighing 1000 – 1499g at birth admitted into the neonatal unit of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital. Data extracted were entered into SPSS v20 and subjected to statistical analysis

Results:
A total of 4942 neonates were admitted over the period of which 213 (4.3%) were VLBW. The mean birth weight was 1240 ± 150g and survival was 61.5% and ranged from 44.8 to 77.8%. A mortality of 38.5% was recorded among the 205 of the 213 who had documented outcomes while survival was higher in females (73.3%) compared to males (49%). Birth weight, gender, maternal age and duration of hospital stay significantly determined outcome.

Conclusions:
Survival among VLBW babies was 61.5% and was positively influenced by higher birth weight, female sex, younger maternal age and longer duration of hospital stay. 

Recommendation
Neonates with identified factors for increased risk of poor outcome should receive more and closer monitoring while on admission