Objectives: To study the survival rates at discharge and neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 y of corrected age (CA) of extremely-low-birth-weight ELBW neonates.
Methods: This prospective, descriptive study was conducted in a tertiary care level III extramural NICU of a teaching hospital. Forty-nine extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) neonates were enrolled in the study from July 2017 to June 2018. Baseline demographic data, morbidities during NICU stay, and survival at discharge for the enrolled neonates were recorded. The enrolled infants were followed up to 1 y of CA at three-monthly intervals. During the follow-up, anthropometry, developmental screening by Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST), and tone assessment by Amiel-Tison scale were done. Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants (DASII) was administered at CA of 12 mo.
Results: Thirty-seven (75.5%) neonates survived to discharge. Survival rate of neonates with birth weight > 750 g and with gestational age ≥ 26 wk was 90.2% and 85.7%, respectively. Amongst those < 750 g or < 26 wk (n = 8), none survived. Abnormal developmental quotient (DQ < 70%) was seen in 6 infants out of 33 infants (18.1%) followed at 1 y of CA.
Conclusion: Overall, 3/4th of ELBW infants survived to discharge and 80% of those who were followed up at 1 y of CA had normal neurodevelopmental outcome. However, survival rates of neonates born at < 26 wk and/or with birth weight < 750 g were less and needs to be improved.
Keywords: ELBW; Follow-up; Neurodevelopmental outcome; Survival.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Dr. K C Chaudhuri Foundation.