COMPARISON OF NEONATAL OUTCOMES AND LETHALITY RATE OF PRETERM INFANTS (BORN AT ≤30+6 WEEKS) ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL OF LITHUANIAN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES KAUNO KLINIKOS IN 2013 AND 2019

Abstract

Aim. The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare neonatal outcomes and lethality rate of preterm infants (gestational age (GA) 22–30+6 weeks) admitted to the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kauno klinikos in 2013 and 2019. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted. 109 and 105 preterm newborns born and/or treated in the hospital in 2013 and 2019 were included. Neonatal outcomes and lethality rate were evaluated via medical data, collected from the hospital’s database and archive. Chi square (χ2) and T-test were used. Results with values of p<0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results. Lethality rate was 11.93% in 2013 (n=13) and 15.43% in 2019 (n=16). Compared to 2013 average body weight (p=0.042), Apgar 1 (p=0.01) and Apgar 5 (p=0.002) were significantly higher in 28–30+6 GA group. Premature newborns spent significantly more time in NICU in 2019 (p=0.036). The incidence of BPD was inversely related to GA both in 2013 and 2019 (p=0.001). Same correlations were found between GA and sepsis (p=0.011), IVH (p=0.022), cPVL (p=0.001). Conclusions. Most preterm newborns survived, lethality rate was 11.93% in 2013 and 15.43% in 2019. Most surviving newborns suffered complications. There were significant links between GA and these complications: BPD, sepsis, IVH and cPVL.