Title: A Study of Course and Outcome of Babies Weighing less than 1500 Grams at Birth after Discharge from NICU
Authors: Dr Naresh Gadi, Dr S.D. Agrawal, Dr Asit Mohan Mohapatra, Dr Satish Kumar Sethi
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i1.163
Abstract
Introduction: WHO defines very low birth weight babies as birth weight <1500 gms at birth irrespective of gestational age. In India VLBW babies constitute 4 -7%of live births and 30% of neonatal death. They are prone to a large variety of complications such as hypothermia, RDS, infection and require proper NICU care. Based on the socioeconomic status of the parents, overcrowding of beds etc various institutions follow various guidelines to discharge VLBW babies. Hence this study aims to study the course and outcome of VLBW babies discharged at 1500 gms weight.
Materials and Methods: This is a longitudinal follow up study done between September 2017-september 2018 with thorough history and examination for all the outborn and inborn vlbw babies based on a predesigned proforma. The criteria upon which the baby is discharged and the outcome were noted.
Results: Out of 472 babies admitted to NICU during the study 33(7%) were VLBW. And 12% of them were discharged at 1500 gms or less. 10 (83.3%) came back for follow up and 2 (16.7%) infants died. Both infants discharged at <1200 gms accounted for 100% of deaths with main cause presumed to be sepsis. 6 out of 10 surviving babies achieved 15g/kg/day weight gain and 3 babies developed respiratory infections and 1 had seizures.
Conclusion: Discharge of a VLBW baby at 1500gms weight was found to be safe with proper parental counselling, appropriate newborn care and regular follow-up.
