A national study of risk factors associated with mortality in very low birthweight infants in the Malaysian neonatal intensive care units

To determine the risk factors associated with mortality in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care units (NIUC) in Malaysia.

Method:

A prospective observational study of outcome of all VLBW infants born between 1 January 1993 and 30 June 1993 and admitted to the NICU.

Results:

Data of 868 VLBW neonates from 18 centres in Malaysia were collected. Their mean birthweight was 1223 g (95% confidence intervals: 1208–1238 g). Thirty-seven point four per cent (325/868) of these infants died before discharge. After exclusion of all infants with congenital anomalies ( n =66, and nine of them also had incomplete records) and incomplete records ( n =82), stepwise logistic regression analysis of the remaining 720 infants showed that the risk factors that were significantly associated with increased mortality before discharge were: delivery in district hospitals, Chinese race, lower birthweight, lower gestation age, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, pulmonary airleak, necrotizing enterocolitis of stage 2 or 3, confirmed sepsis, hypotension, hypothermia, acute renal failure, intermittent positive pressure ventilation, and umbilical arterial catheterization. Factors that were significantly associated with lower risk of mortality were: use of antenatal steroid, oxygen therapy, surfactant therapy and blood transfusion.

Conclusion:

The mortality of VLBW infants admitted to the Malaysian NICU was high and was also associated with a number of preventable risk factors.     

Neonatal jaundice in 'healthy' very low birthweight infants

The daily bilirubin levels during the first week of life in 94 premature very low birthweight (VLBW, < 1500g) relatively 'healthy' infants were determined. Mean daily bilirubin values peaked on the fourth day of life at 188.1 μmol/l (s.e.m. = 5.3). Twenty-eight infants developed hyperbilirubinaemia (bilirubin > 260 μmol/l), at which time they were exposed to phototherapy. When individual peak bilirubin values were evaluated, the overall peak value was 213.9 μmol/l (s.e.m. = 5.1) occurring at 4.81 days (s.e.m. = 0.11), although the value is most likely an underestimate, since the 28 pre-phototherapy values were not truly peak values. Seventy-six (81%) infants experienced bilirubin levels > 170 μmol/l. The method of delivery apparently had no impact on the bilirubin levels.
All the infants remained well and progressed satisfactorily.'Healthy' VLBW infants experience a much greater incidence and severity of neonatal jaundice than mature infants with the same clinical status.     

极低出生体重儿胃肠喂养的临床观察

目的　总结极低出生体重儿 (VLBWI)胃肠喂养的临床特点、分析喂养不耐受的相关因素、探讨有利于喂养成熟的要点。方法　对NICU收治的极低出生体重并痊愈出院的 3 8例婴儿进行喂养相关因素和体重增长情况调查。本组患儿出生体重 ( 13 14± 180 )g。按是否有多次出现喂养后呕吐、腹胀、胃残余超过喂入量的 3 0 %、胃内咖啡样物、被禁食 >2次、第 2周末喂入量 <8ml/ (kg·次 )分为喂养不耐受或耐受两组 ,分析喂养不耐受的相关危险因素 ;按早开始 (≤ 6d)和晚开始 (≥ 7d)胃肠喂养分成两组 ,比较有关临床因素。结果　喂养不耐受的发生率为 5 5 % ( 2 1/ 3 8)。喂养耐受和不耐受两组的胎龄、出生体重、开奶日龄、达足量喂养日龄及住院天数差异有显著性。胎龄小、脐插管、应用氨茶碱及开始胃肠喂养日龄晚是喂养不耐受的显著相关危险因素。早开奶组达足量喂养日龄 [( 2 9 0± 11 2 )d]和住院天数 [( 41 7± 12 4)d]较晚开奶组明显缩短 [分别为 ( 41 8± 16 9)d和 ( 5 5 4± 17 5 )d],差异有显著意义。结论　如果VLBWI的生命体征平稳 ,在出生 6d内应尽可能早地开始胃肠道喂养或非营养性吸吮。早期微量喂养、缓慢加奶、谨慎禁食、促进排便 ,有利于促进喂养耐受性     

Clinical spectrum of neonatal apnoea in very low birthweight infants

This study quantifies apnoea and assesses the response to xanthine derivatives amongst 172 consecutively born, surviving very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, 136 appropriate weight for gestational age (AGA), 36 small for gestational age (SGA). All babies had electronic monitoring of heart and respiratory rates and nursing staff recorded episodes of apnoea (greater than 10 s), bradycardia (less than 100) and cyanosis. Only 42 (24.2%) babies had no episodes recorded. (25 AGA, 17 SGA). Sixty-four (37.2%) received active resuscitation on at least one occasion with six babies ventilated by bag and mask on more than 10 occasions. Apnoea had commenced by day 10 of life in all the babies who had apnoea and persisted beyond day 50 in only six; however four of these infants were still requiring active resuscitation. Apnoea had ceased by 37 weeks post-conceptual age in 88% and by 40 weeks in all but three babies. Risk factor analysis revealed a strong correlation (P less than 0.005) with lower gestational ages and birth weights, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and the problems associated with it, such as mechanical ventilation, patency of the ductus arteriosus (PDA) and chronic neonatal lung disease. A single, reversible cause for apnoea was rarely demonstrated. Care must be exercised with feeding, physiotherapy and suctioning the pharynx and trachea of 'at risk' infants. Xanthine derivatives were highly effective in decreasing the frequency of recurrent apnoea from a mean of 10.08 episodes one day before, to 1.83 two days after commencement of treatment.     

Early neurodevelopmental outcome of very low birthweight infants

ABSTRACT. In the 18 months, January 1979 to July 1980, 149 infants who weighed ≤1500g at birth were cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit at Queen Victoria Medical Centre, Melbourne. During this period the neonatal survival rate for infants weighing 501–1000g was 57% and for those weighing 1001–1500g was 91%. Of the 123 neonatal survivors, four died within the first year after birth. One hundred and seventeen (98%) of 119 surviving infants have been assessed at follow-up. At a mean age of 12.3 months (corrected for prematurity), 11 (9%) survivors had physical handicaps only and four (3%) had developmental delay, including one child who was also physically handicapped. Nine of the 14 children with a defined handicap were considered to have significant functional handicap. Therefore 108 (92%) survivors are able to function within the normal range. These results suggest that the chance of survival for infants of very low birthweight has continued to increase whereas their handicap-rate has remained stable and relatively low.     

Perinatal factors affecting survival of very low birthweight infants — a study from two hospitals

ABSTRACT. Three hundred and seventy-seven consecutive liveborn infants with a birthweight between 500g and 1500g born at two perinatal centres in the calendar years 1977 and 1978 and 40 outborn infants in the same weight group admitted to one of the hospitals during the same period were studied. Although the survival rates in individual 100g weight groups vary between 14.3% and 97.4%, overall survival rates for inborn and outborn infants in both hospitals were similar, ranging from 69.0% to 71.5%. Twenty-two perinatal factors were found to have a significant effect on survival, of which 15 were common to the inborn populations in both hospitals. Eight of these 22 factors were indicators of intrapartum asphyxia. Multiple regression analysis showed that whereas birthweight was the most important variable influencing outcome in one hospital, the infant's condition at birth is the most important in the other. This difference may be related to the aggressive approach to perinatal intensive care of extremely preterm infants in the latter hospital.     

预防性持续应用小剂量氨茶碱对极低出生体重儿呼吸暂停的影响

目的 探讨预防性持续小剂量应用氨茶碱对极低出生体重儿(VLBWI)呼吸暂停的影响及安全性.方法 2004年4月-2006年10月收治VLBWI 89例,随机分为甲组和乙组.甲组43例,在生后尚未发生呼吸暂停时即给予持续静滴氨茶碱[先用单剂负荷量4 mg/kg,12 h后给维持量0.4～0.6 mg/(kg·h)],观察其在生后1 周内及体重达到2.0 kg前呼吸暂停的发生情况、平均用氧时间和使用呼吸机的百分率.用药期间动态监测血氨茶碱浓度;对照组(乙组)46例,在发生呼吸暂停后才开始使用氨茶碱治疗.结果 生后1周内甲组有3例(7.0%)发生呼吸暂停,乙组29例(63.0%)发生呼吸暂停,两组比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=30.34,P<0.005);在体重增至2.0kg前,甲组8例(18.6%)发生呼吸暂停,乙组33例(71.7%)发生呼吸暂停,两组比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=25.25,P<0.005).甲组平均用氧时间为(6±2)d,与乙组(13±3)d比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.000 01).甲组需机械通气比率(7.0%)与乙组(26.1%)比较,差异有统计学意义(χ2=5.79,P<0.05).结论 预防性持续应用氨茶碱能显著降低VLBWI呼吸暂停的发生率,且可缩短其用氧时间,降低需要使用呼吸机的频率.在动态监测血药浓度下使用氨茶碱具有较高的安全性.     

Predicting successful extubation of very low birthweight infants

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of three tests used to predict successful extubation of preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: Mechanically ventilated infants with birth weight <1250 g and considered ready for extubation were changed to endotracheal continuous positive airway pressure (ET CPAP) for three minutes. Tidal volumes, minute ventilation (V e), heart rate, and oxygen saturation were recorded before and during ET CPAP. Three tests of extubation success were evaluated: (a) expired V e during ET CPAP; (b) ratio of V e during ET CPAP to V e during mechanical ventilation (V e ratio); (c) the spontaneous breathing test (SBT)-the infant passed this test if there was no hypoxia or bradycardia during ET CPAP. The clinical team were blinded to the results, and all infants were extubated. Extubation failure was defined as reintubation within 72 hours of extubation. RESULTS: Fifty infants were studied and extubated. Eleven (22%) were reintubated. The SBT was the most accurate of the three tests, with a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 73% and a positive and negative predictive value for extubation success of 93% and 89% respectively. CONCLUSION: The SBT used just before extubation of infants <1250 g may reduce the number of extubation failures. Further studies are required to establish whether the SBT can be used as the primary determinant of an infant's readiness for extubation.     

Audiological evaluation of very low birthweight infants

A population of consecutively surviving very low birthweight (VLBW) infants comprising 41 infants (24 female) birthweight less than 1000 g and 108 infants (63 female) birthweight 1000-1500 g received detailed audiological evaluation. The audiological test battery comprised auditory brainstem evoked response (ABR) prior to hospital discharge, behavioural audiometry and tympanometry at 8-12 months and monitoring as necessary. The ABR results were interpreted with reference to a normative group of 36 full-term infants (birthweight 2.4-4.5 kg). Of the 142 VLBW infants completing audiological evaluation, one (0.7%) had evidence of moderate-severe high frequency sensorineural hearing loss, 83 (58.5%) evidence of conductive dysfunction (18 severe, 42 moderate and 23 mild) and only 58 (40.8%) normal hearing. The 19 infants with severe auditory impairment were more likely to have suffered moderate-severe apnoea, greater than or equal to two courses of mechanical ventilation, prolonged oxygen therapy and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections in the first year of life than infants without severe impairment (P less than 0.05). Because of the incidence of conductive pathology, difficulties occurred when attempting to compare ABR status at 36-42 weeks postmenstrual age with peripheral hearing status at 8-12 months as assessed by visual reinforcement orientation audiometry (VROA) and impedance audiometry. The most useful ABR test parameters as screening measures of peripheral auditory status were Wave I-III-V morphology, wave V threshold levels and wave V absolute latency values when used in combination as a test battery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Invasive fungal infection in very low birthweight infants: national prospective surveillance study

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of invasive fungal infection in very low birthweight (VLBW: <1500 g) infants in the United Kingdom. DESIGN: National prospective surveillance study between February 2003 and February 2004 using the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit reporting system reconciled with cases identified through routine laboratory reporting to the Health Protection Agency (England, Wales, and Northern Ireland), the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health, and the UK Mycology Reference Laboratory. RESULTS: Ninety four confirmed cases of invasive fungal infection were identified during the surveillance period giving an incidence of estimated annual incidence of 10.0 (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.0 to 12.0) cases per 1000 VLBW live births. Eighty one (86%) of the infants were of extremely low birth weight (ELBW: <1000 g), incidence 21.1 (95% CI 16.5 to 25.7) per 1000 ELBW live births. Candida species, predominantly C albicans and C parapsilosis, were isolated in 93% of cases. Most organisms were isolated from the bloodstream and urinary tract. Death occurred in 41% of the infected infants before 37 weeks postconceptional age. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of invasive fungal infection in VLBW and ELBW infants in the United Kingdom is lower than reported in previous studies from tertiary centres in North America and elsewhere. The associated late neonatal and post-neonatal death rates are substantially higher than expected in infants without invasive fungal infection. These data may inform decisions about the evaluation and use of antifungal infection control strategies.     

Periventricular haemorrhage and leukomalacia in extremely low birthweight infants

Forty (49%) of 82 extremely low birthweight (ELBW, <1000 g) infants had periventricular haemorrhage (PVH). Ten (12%) had germinal layer haemorrhage (GLH) alone, 16 (20%) had intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and 14 (17%) had intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Almost all the cases of PVH had developed by 4 days of age. Small-for-gestational age infants (12% of study population) had a significantly lower incidence and severity of PVH than appropriate-for-gestational age infants. Of 94 infants born between 23 and 28 weeks gestation, 45 (48%) had PVH. The PVH incidence was 60% in those of 23-26 weeks and 38% in those of 27-28 weeks. The hospital survival rate of ELBW infants was 69% in those without PVH and 43% in those with PVH; 70% in GLH alone; 50% in IVH and 14% in ICH. Three survivors developed post-haemorrhage hydrocephalus of whom two required ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Five survivors developed periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) evidenced by cysts identified between 3 and 7 weeks of age. A significant decrease in the incidence of PVH occurred over the study period (67% in 1982, 38% in 1983 and 33% in 1984). This decrease was seen for ail grades of PVH. The reasons for this decreased incidence are still to be ascertained but this trend suggests that improvements in neonatal intensive care have the potential to improve the neurological outcome of more recent ELBW survivors.     

Low prevalence of hearing impairment among very low birthweight infants as detected by universal neonatal hearing screening

OBJECTIVES: To (a) study the prevalence of hearing impairment in a cohort of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants and (b) evaluate the effectiveness of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) as a first stage in-hospital hearing screening tool in this population. STUDY DESIGN: The study group was a cohort of 346 VLBW infants born in 1998-2000 at The Sheba Medical Center. The prevalence of hearing impairment in the study group was compared with that of all other newborn infants participating in a universal newborn hearing screening programme during the same period. To evaluate the effectiveness of TEOAE, a control group of 1205 healthy newborns who had no known risk factors for hearing impairment was selected. The results and follow up of hearing screening for these infants were examined retrospectively. RESULTS: Only one VLBW infant (0.3%) was diagnosed with bilateral sensory-neural hearing loss. In addition, nine infants (2.7%) were diagnosed with conductive hearing loss. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and low Apgar score were the most significant factors for predicting the occurrence of conductive hearing loss. The percentage of VLBW infants who successfully passed the in-hospital TEOAE screening was 87.2, compared with 92.2% in the full term control group. No false negative cases were detected on follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows a low incidence of sensory-neural hearing loss in a cohort of VLBW infants and a relatively high incidence of conductive hearing loss. TEOAE screening was found to be an effective first stage in-hospital hearing screening tool in this population.     

Distribution of plasma Vitamin E levels in supplemented very low birthweight infants

Abstract The distribution of plasma Vitamin E (VE) was determined in 25 very low birthweight (VLBW) infants who were supplemented with 100 mg/kg per day of α-tocopherol acetate, given intragastrically. Their mean birthweight was 917 g and mean gestational age was 28 weeks. Mean plasma VE levels after 1 and 6 weeks' supplementation were 2.7 mg/dL (s.e.m. = 1.0) and 6.4 mg/dL (s.e.m. = 1.4), respectively (the difference was not significant). There was wide variability in plasma VE levels in these infants despite being on an identical dose of tocopherol. Plasma VE was < 0.5 mg/dL in 12% of samples, 0.5–3.0 mg/dL in 32%, 3.1–5.0 mg/dL in 18%, and 5.1–20 mg/dL in 38%. Fifteen of the 25 infants had at least one level in the range which has been associated with an increased incidence of septicaemia and necrotizing enterocolitis (> 5.0 mg/dL).
These data suggest that if a policy of VE supplementation for VLBW infants is chosen, monitoring of plasma VE levels appears necessary so that the dosage can be adjusted in order to maintain plasma VE within the optimal range. This study's dosage regimen of supplementing infants with 100 mg/kg per day of VE was associated with a high incidence of elevated plasma VE levels and it is concluded that it is not advisable to use such large doses of VE in the premature newborn.     

Outcome of very low birthweight infants who required prolonged hospitalization

Abstract Over a 4 year study period, 294 infants with a birthweight ≤ 1500 g survived their initial hospitalization; 103 (35%) were discharged after a gestational age of 40 weeks. The postdischarge infant mortality was significantly higher in those with prolonged initial hospitalization compared with the remaining survivors (6% vs 1%). During the first 2 years, significant infections were found in 66% and rehospitalization in 54% of the children who had prolonged initial hospitalization. At 2 years, 34% were below the 10th centile for weight as were 39% for height; head circumferences were normal. Major disability (27% vs 15%) and developmental delay (13% vs 4%) were significantly more common in survivors with prolonged initial hospitalization compared with the remaining survivors. The study demonstrated the continuing toll of perinatal morbidity among very low birthweight infants who required prolonged hospitalization and emphasized the need for comprehensive medical and social support, not only during their initial hospitalization, but also after discharge.     

α-Fetoprotein levels in fullterm and very low birthweight infants

Plasma α-fetoprotein (α-FP) levels were determined in fullterm and very low birthweight (VLBW) infants in the first week of life and serially in a cohort of VLBW infants for the first 24 weeks after delivery. A rapid decline in α-FP levels was observed in both the fullterm and VLBW infants initially. Beyond 2 weeks of age, there was a gradual, linear decline until 6 weeks, followed by a more rapid period of decline from 6 to 16 weeks. The decline in the ensuing weeks demonstrated an asymptotic pattern. The half-life of α-FP was 7.5 days in the first week of life in both fullterm and preterm infants, 28.7 days from 2 to 6 weeks of life and 11.9 days from 6 to 16 weeks of life in VLBW Infants.     

Surgery is safe in very low birthweight infants with necrotizing enterocolitis

The aim of this study was to determine how the operative event itself affects very low birthweight (VLBW) infants (< 1500 g) with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) undergoing surgery, and to try to identify preventable factors leading to perioperative morbidity and mortality. Eighty-five VLBW infants developed NEC during a 6-year period; 34 of those required emergent celiotomies. Data were collected retrospectively from hospital charts available on 33 infants. Birthweight ranged from 566 g to 1415 g (mean +/- SD: 961+/-262 g) and gestational age from 24 to 34 wk (28+/-3.2 wk). Thirty infants had been fed premature formula (first feed at 5+/-3.6 d) prior to the onset of symptoms and three had not been fed at all. Age at NEC symptoms was 19+/-15 d. Infants < 1000 g developed NEC much longer after the first feed compared to infants > 1000 g (p < 0.002; t-test). In 42% of the children, intraoperative blood pressure fell at least 20% from the preoperative value. Body temperature dropped from a preoperative 36.5+/-0.340 degrees C to 35.5+/-1.20 degrees C (p < 0.005), although in all children two or more heating devices were employed in the operating room. All infants survived the procedure. Six infants with pannecrosis died within 72 h of the operative event. In an appropriate setting, operative intervention under general anesthesia is well tolerated by VLBW infants with NEC. Since hypothermia was a major problem, the authors have modified their approach and now no longer transport these infants to the operating room. Instead, these infants are operated upon in the neonatal intensive care unit, directly on an infant radiant warmer system.     

极低出生体质量儿视网膜病变筛查和高危因素分析

目的研究出生体质量≤1500g的早产儿视网膜病(ROP)发生率和临床高危因素,探讨预防小早产儿视网膜病的有效措施。方法回顾性分析2006年8月1日—2008年7月31日期间,在新生儿重症监护室住院的107例出生体质量≤1500g早产儿ROP筛查的结果,以发病组为观察组,非ROP为对照组,进行统计学分析。结果早产儿ROP的发生率为33.64%,Ⅰ期11例,Ⅱ期13例,Ⅲ期12例,检出时间为(245.36±12.85)d。妊娠并发症胎盘早剥和严重的早产儿并发症,增加了ROP的发病率;ROP的发生率与胎龄及出生体质量成反比,双胎及多胎妊娠不影响ROP的发生;对ROP的病因进行单因素分析发现,胎龄、出生体质量、抗生素使用时间、吸氧时间、血氧分压、肺表面活性物质的使用、支气管肺发育不良、机械通气、呼吸暂停与ROP有关(P<0.05);通过Logistic回归分析发现呼吸暂停、血氧分压和出生体质量是高危因素(P均<0.05)。结论呼吸暂停、血氧分压和出生体质量是ROP的高危因素,避免血氧波动有助于降低ROP的发生率。     

238例极低出生体重早产儿的生长速率和影响因素

目的 观察极低出生体重早产儿住院期问的生长速度及营养支持情况,研究影响其生长的因素.方法 采用回顾性调查的方法,收集2005年1月1日至2006年6月30日我国不同地区10所三甲医院檄低出生体重早产儿的临床资料,对影响早产儿生长的因素进行分析.结果 共有238例符合条件的极低出生体重早产儿,出生胎龄为(30.9±1.9)周,出生体重(1313±129)g.生后第1周～第6周平均体重生长速率分别为-7.2、14.2、13.6、13.7、14.2、14.8 g/(kg·d).肠内、外营养开始平均时间分别为(3.4±2,3)d和(3.1±1.7)d,总热卡达120 kcal/(kg·d)平均时间为(21.3±11.6)d,喂养奶量达150 ml/(kg·d)平均时间为(23.4±10.8)d.恢复出生体重后平均生长速率为(13.8±3.5)g/(kg·d),平均住院时间(39.8±13.9)d.出生时小于胎龄者较适于胎龄者恢复出生体重后的平均生长速率快[14.4 vs 13.2 g/(kg·d),t=2.703,P<0.05].结论 平均生长速率较快组[≥15 g/(kg·d)]与较慢组[<15g/(kg·d)]相比,出生胎龄差异无显著性,但出生体重低、接受肠内肠外营养早.大多数极低出生体重早产儿在住院期间不能达到正常胎儿在官内的生长速率.更积极的肠内肠外营养,可能有利于极低出生体重儿生后的早期牛长.     

Neonatal correlates of adverse outcomes in very low‐birthweight infants in the NICU Network

Background: The aim of the present study was to explore the relationships among neonatal morbidity, interventions and death or adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in very low‐birthweight (VLBW) infants. Methods: Subjects were infants with birthweight ≤1500 g who were cared for in the tertiary neonatal intensive care units in Japan. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of neonatal factors for death or cerebral palsy (CP) and death or developmental delay (developmental quotient <70 or delay judged by physicians) at 3 years of age after adjusting for biological and prenatal variables. Results: Of the 3104 subjects, 257 died and 1826 were evaluated at 3 years of age. Cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL; OR, 23.9; 95%CI: 11.0–51.7), gastrointestinal perforation (OR, 8.5; 95%CI: 2.8–25.4), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) grade 3 or 4 (OR, 3.1; 95%CI: 1.3–7.2) and sepsis (OR, 2.6; 95%CI: 1.4–4.8) were neonatal factors significantly associated with an increased risk of death or CP. Significant correlates with death or developmental delay were cystic PVL (OR, 7.9; 95%CI: 3.7–16.8), gastrointestinal perforation (OR, 6.3; 95%CI: 1.9–20.8), sepsis (OR, 2.8; 95%CI: 1.6–4.8), IVH grade 3 or 4 (OR, 2.6; 95%CI: 1.2–5.7), chronic lung disease at 36 weeks of corrected gestational age (OR, 1.6; 95%CI: 1.1–2.4) and treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP; OR, 1.5; 95%CI: 1.0–2.3). Conclusion: Cystic PVL, gastrointestinal perforation, IVH and sepsis correlated with both death or CP and death or developmental delay in VLBW infants. Chronic lung disease at 36 weeks and treatment for ROP were associated with death or developmental delay, but not with death or CP.