Neonatal mortality and morbidity in extremely preterm SGA infants: A population based study.
- Hallvard Reigstad (hallvard.reigstad{at}helse-bergen.no)
- Arild Rønnestad (arild.ronnestad{at}klinmed.uio.no)
- Sverre Medbø (sverre.medbo{at}ulleval.no)
- Teresa Farstad (teresa.farstad{at}ahus.no)
- Per Ivar Kaaresen (per.ivar.kaaresen{at}unn.no)
- Ragnhild Støen (ragnhild.stoen{at}stolav.no)
Abstract
Aim: To assess if growth retarded (SGA) extremely preterm infants have excess neonatal mortality and morbidity.
Methods: Cohort study of all infants born alive at 22-27 weeks’ gestational age (GA) in Norway during 1999-2000. Outcomes were compared between those who were SGA, defined as a birth weight less than the fifth percentile for GA and those who had weights at or above the fifth percentile.
Results: Of 365 infants with GA < 28 weeks, 31 (8%) were SGA. Among infants with GA < 28 weeks, only chronic lung disease was associated with SGA status (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0 to 7.2). SGA infants with GA 26-27 weeks had excess neonatal mortality (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.3 to 11), chronic lung disease and significantly higher mean number of days (age) before tolerating full enteral nutrition. SGA infants with GA 22-25 weeks had an excess risk of necrotizing enterocolitis.
Conclusion: Extremely preterm SGA infants had excess neonatal mortality and morbidity in terms of necrotizing enterocolitis and chronic lung disease.
