Short-Term Outcomes and Complications of Premature Infants with a Birth Weight ≤ 1500g

Abstract

prognosis of a premature infant is correlated with the conditions of medical care, both during and after birth, as well as the quality of the environment they are welcomed into. Objective: The aim of our study is to highlight the complications and outcomes of premature infants with a birth weight ≤ 1500g, by identifying the factors of morbidity and mortality, and then comparing our results with other studies. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive, epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and developmental study conducted over a two-year period, from June 1, 2019, to June 30, 2021, in the neonatology and neonatal resuscitation unit at CHU HASSAN II of Fès. Results: We reported a mortality rate of 54% among the newborns, with the main causes of death being alveolar hemorrhage (43.41%), septic shock (29.45%), and severe respiratory distress (20.93%). The main complications and conditions observed during the hospital stay were: hyaline membrane disease (35.26%), alveolar hemorrhage (26.14%), patent ductus arteriosus (14.93%), hemodynamic instability (56.01%), electrolyte imbalances (44.81%), neonatal jaundice (54.77%), anemia (46.05%), thrombocytopenia (54.77%), apnea of prematurity (51.81%), intraventricular hemorrhage (12.86%), and neonatal infection (85.89%). Conclusion: The results of our study serve as a wake-up call for the necessity of implementing a management and prevention plan to improve the prognosis of premature infants with a birth weight ≤ 1500g.