Maternal and neonatal profile and immediate outcome in extremely low birth weight babies in Delhi

We studied the maternal and neonatal profile and outcome of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) babies at the level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Delhi. Case records of ELBW inborn babies delivered between August 2000 and August 2001 were analysed by using a pre-set proforma. A total of 52 ELBW babies were admitted to the NICU in the relevant period, of whom 30 (57%) survived. Maternal anaemia, previous preterm delivery and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) were the common predisposing factors for preterm delivery. Mean gestational age was 27.8 weeks and mean birth weight was 831 g. The highest mortality (55%) was seen in babies with 26-28 weeks'gestation and those in the birth weight category of < 800 g. Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia (78%) and hyaline membrane disease/respiratory distress syndrome (65%) were the most common causes of morbidity. A total of 25 babies were mechanically ventilated while 24 (46%) received total parenteral nutrition. Sepsis, pulmonary haemorrhage, intracranial haemorrhage and necrotizing enterocolitis accounted for the deaths in the study population. Retinopathy of prematurity screening was performed in 35 babies (68%), of whom 22 were found to be normal. According to the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity, most babies (72%) had involvement of zone 3 and stage I (63%). The incidence was highest in 26-28 weeks'gestation babies (71%) and the < 800 g birth weight category (62%). Maternal risk factors such as anaemia and PIH commonly predispose to preterm delivery. There is an alarmingly high mortality in this population. Effective steps are required not only to avoid extreme prematurity but also to reduce morbidity and mortality of all newborns weighing <1000 g at birth.