Single-Center Comparison of Outcomes Following Cardiac Surgery in Low Birth Weight and Standard Birth Weight Neonates

Abstract

To compare outcomes between low birth weight (LBW; <2.5kg) and standard birth weight neonates undergoing cardiac surgery. A single-center retrospective study of neonates undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass from 2012 to 2018. LBW neonates were 1:2 propensity score-matched to standard birth weight neonates (n=93 to n=186) using clinical characteristics. The primary and secondary outcomes were survival to hospital discharge and postoperative complications, respectively. After matching, regression analyses were conducted to compare outcomes. The LBW group had a higher proportion of premature neonates than the standard birth weight group (60% vs 8%; P<.01) and were less likely to survive to hospital discharge (88% vs 95%; OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.15-0.97). There was no difference in unplanned cardiac reoperations or catheter-based interventions, cardiac arrest, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, infection, and end-organ complications between the groups. Among LBW infants, survival was improved at weight >2kg. LBW is a risk factor for decreased survival. LBW neonates weighing >2kg have survival comparable to those weighing >2.5kg.