Association of major morbidities in vlbw infants. 1541

Increasing survival of VLBW infants (<1500 gm) is reported during the last decade. However, associated morbidities have been a major concern. It is not clear whether these morbidities are

independent or interdependent on each other or whether prematurity per se is the sole responsible factor. In order to seek answers to these questions we retrospectively analyzed the

incidence of four major morbidities, IVH, BPD ROP and NEC. Data of VLBW admissions to our neonatal unit from July 1993 to December 1944 was analyzed for the incidence of each morbidity and

any combinations possible. IVH was diagnosed base on head ultrasound results, BPD was diagnosed with the clinical and radiological pattern of chronic lung change plus O2 dependent beyond 28

days of age, ROP diagnosis was based on routine ophthalmologic exam, NEC diagnosis was based on the radiological change of Bell's stage 2 classification or above or receipt of

antibiotics for at least 7 days. The incidence of each possible morbidity occurrence alone or in combination was compared to the random chance (RC) which was calculated by: RC of morbidity1

alone = chance of getting morbidity1 × chance of not getting mobidity2 × chance of not getting morbidity3 × chance of not getting morbidity4. RC of any combination = multiplication of chance

of getting each morbidity considered. 255 records were obtained. The incidences of IVH, BPD, ROP, and NEC were 11.4, 23.5, 11.4, and 8.2% respectively. Occurrence of single morbidity alone

was uncommon and occurred in the order of ROP, IVH, BPD and NEC (0.0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 RC). Highest association between any two morbidities was found in BPD with ROP (3.3 RC) and lowest in ROP

with NEC (1.5RC). Highest association of any three morbidities occurred in IVH with BPD with ROP (13 RC). When 35 neonatal death s were excluded from the analysis the results still showed

the same trend except combination of IVH and ROP was slightly more prominent than BPD and ROP (3.6 vs 3.0RC). Conclusions: In VLBW infants the chance of IVH, BPD, ROP and NEC occurrence in

any combination is more common than random chance. Although uncommon, NEC is more likely than the remaining morbidities to occur alone. Combinations among IVH, BPD, and ROP were common than

the rest. This result suggests that the role of common physiologic or biologic factors should be explored. AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Dept. of Pediatrics, Univ. of

Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL., Wutthichai Bunjapamai & Dharmapuri Vidyasagar Authors * Wutthichai Bunjapamai View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed 

Google Scholar * Dharmapuri Vidyasagar View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

CITE THIS ARTICLE Bunjapamai, W., Vidyasagar, D. ASSOCIATION OF MAJOR MORBIDITIES IN VLBW INFANTS. 1541. _Pediatr Res_ 39 (Suppl 4), 259 (1996).

https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199604001-01564 Download citation * Issue Date: 01 April 1996 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199604001-01564 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the

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