Health and Hospital Readmissions of Very-Low-Birth-Weight and Normal-Birth-Weight Children

Introduction: The current cohort study was conducted to determine the frequency and compare the mortality rate with associated characteristics among low birth weight and normal birth weight infants during the neonatal period at a tertiary healthcare facility, Karachi. Methodology: Close-ended structured questionnaires were used to collect information from the parents of 500 registered neonates at the time of birth. Follow-ups by phone on the 28th day of life were done to determine the mortality among low birth weight and normal birth weight babies during the neonatal period. Results: The neonatal mortality rate ranged from as low as 2.4% in the normal birth weight and 16.4% in the low birth weight categories to as high as 96% in the very low birth weight category. Respiratory distress syndrome (24.2%) and sepsis (18.2%) were reported as the leading causes of neonatal deaths. The babies’ lengths of stay ranged from 2 to 24 hours, and around 90% of neonatal deaths were reported in the first seven days of life. More than 6% of neonates died at home, and 7.6% of the deceased babies did not visit any healthcare facility or doctor before their death. In the 12–15 hours before their deaths, 13.6% of the deceased babies had been unattended. Around 90% of the deceased babies were referred from a doctor or healthcare facility. Conclusions: The present estimates of neonatal mortality are very high among low birth weight and very low birth weight categories. Infectious diseases, including respiratory distress syndrome (24.2%) and sepsis (18.2%), were leading causes of neonatal deaths.

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Childrearing Attitudes Among Parents of Very Low Birth Weight and Normal Birth Weight Children

Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics ◽

10.1097/00004703-199604000-00003 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 84???89 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

PHYLLIS ZELKOWITZ ◽

APOSTOLOS PAPAGEORGIOU

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Very Low Birth Weight ◽

Normal Birth Weight ◽

Normal Birth

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Growth, lung function, and physical activity in schoolchildren who were very-low-birth-weight preterm infants

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia ◽

10.1590/s1806-37562015000000159 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 42 (4) ◽

pp. 254-260 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Aline Dill Winck ◽

João Paulo Heinzmann-Filho ◽

Deise Schumann ◽

Helen Zatti ◽

Rita Mattiello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Lung Function ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Very Low Birth Weight ◽

Full Term ◽

Normal Birth Weight ◽

Term Infants ◽

Normal Birth

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare somatic growth, lung function, and level of physical activity in schoolchildren who had been very-low-birth-weight preterm infants (VLBWPIs) or normal-birth-weight full-term infants. Methods: We recruited two groups of schoolchildren between 8 and 11 years of age residing in the study catchment area: those who had been VLBWPIs (birth weight < 1,500 g); and those who had been normal-birth-weight full-term infants (controls, birth weight ≥ 2,500 g). Anthropometric and spirometric data were collected from the schoolchildren, who also completed a questionnaire regarding their physical activity. In addition, data regarding the perinatal and neonatal period were collected from the medical records of the VLBWPIs. Results: Of the 93 schoolchildren screened, 48 and 45 were in the VLBWPI and control groups, respectively. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding anthropometric characteristics, nutritional status, or pulmonary function. No associations were found between perinatal/neonatal variables and lung function parameters in the VLBWPI group. Although the difference was not significant, the level of physical activity was slightly higher in the VLBWPI group than in the control group. Conclusions: Among the schoolchildren evaluated here, neither growth nor lung function appear to have been affected by prematurity birth weight, or level of physical activity.

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