title: Mortality for newborns of birthweight less than 1500 g in Spanish neonatal units (2002-2005).
abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyze the mortality and its prognostic factors in a Spanish cohort of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants during the period 2002 to 2005. Using the Spanish Society of Neonatology database (SEN 1500), 8942 infants with a birthweight < 1500 g were recruited. The overall mortality was 17.3%. However, this incidence underwent a significant decrease over the study period, from 19.4% in 2002 to 15.2% in 2005 ( P = 0.003). Mortality ranged from 12.4% in 25% of the participating neonatal units to 19.4% in a further 25%. Mortality was higher in outborn infants (25.8%) than in inborn infants (16.6%) ( P < 0.001). The mortality rates of these neonates are also presented by 100-g intervals (401 to 1500) and for the different hospitalization times: in the delivery room, within 24 hours and 28 days of birth, at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age, and on discharge. Of note was that mortality was greatest within 24 hours and 28 days of birth in each of the weight groups ( P < 0.001). In conclusion, in the cohort of infants < 1500 g examined, mortality in the period from 2002 to 2005 was still high, especially among newborns weighing < 1000 g. We did, however, observe a decreasing trend in mortality rates for the participating neonatal units over the 4 study years. Our findings highlight the need to promote intrauterine transport and improve neonatal transport as well as the management of these infants in the delivery room and within the first 28 days of life.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moro
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Figueras-Aloy
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Doménech
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jiménez
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pérez-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pérez-Sheriff
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quero
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Roqués
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000401:mortality; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000401:mortality; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants