Abstract
Background and Aim : The survival rate of extremely low birth weight infants has been improving in Japan. We investigated the changes in the outcomes of extremely low birth weight infants at our hospital.
Patients and Methods : We analyzed the mortality rate of 298 infants with a birth weight of<1000 g who were admitted to our hospital within 24 hours of birth during the period of 1982-2001.
Results : The mortality rate has decreased with time. The mortality rates wlrl 38% and 22% for the periods between 1982-1991 and 1992-2001, respectively ; this difference was statistically significant with regard to the cause of death, the freguey of air leaks was decreased while the fregueuaies of severe infection and necrotizing enterocolitis or gastrointestinal perforations increased. Conclusions : The mortality rate of extremely low birth weight infants has decreased, and the use of new medical treatments, such as surfactant replacement therapy and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, has likely contributed to this trend. The prevention of severe infections and necrotizing enterocolitis will be important for achieving further reductions in the mortality rate.
