Racial and gender differences in the viability of extremely low birth weight infants: a population-based study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to provide a race- and gender-specific model for predicting 1-year survival rates for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants by using population-based data.


METHODS
Birth and death certificates were analyzed for all children (N = 5076) with birth weights between 300 g and 1000 g who were born in Florida between 1996 and 2000. Semiparametric, multivariate, logistic regression analysis was used to model 1-year survival probabilities as a function of birth weight, gestational age, mother's race, and infant's gender. Estimated survival rates among different race/gender groups were compared by using odds ratios (ORs).


RESULTS
One-year survival rates for 5076 ELBW infants born between 1996 and 2000 did not change during the 5-year period (60-62%). The survival rate at < or = 500 g was < or = 14% (n = 716). Survival rates at 501 to 600 g and 601 to 700 g were 36% and 62%, respectively. The survival rate reached > 85% for infants of > 800 g. Modeling indicated a survival advantage for female infants, compared with male infants (OR: 1.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.5-1.9), and for black infants, compared with white infants (OR: 1.3; 95% confidence interval: 1.1-1.5). Black female infants had 2.1 greater odds of survival than did white male infants.


CONCLUSIONS
This population-based study highlights the significant race and gender differences in 1-year survival rates for ELBW infants, as well as the interactions of these 2 factors. These findings can assist obstetricians and neonatologists not only in the care of ELBW infants but also in frank discussions with families.
Morse
Steven B
SB
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. morsesb@peds.ufl.edu
Wu
Samuel S
SS
Ma
Changxing
C
Ariet
Mario
M
Resnick
Michael
M
Roth
Jeffrey
J
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001724:Birth Weight; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*