Low birth weight infants--study of mortality
Panja, S.; Bhattacharyya, I.; Das Gupta, M.
Indian Pediatrics 21(3): 201-205
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 6490141 Document Number: 221505
Care of the low birthweight infant (LBW) in any neonatal unit calls for a large proportion of expenditure in terms of manpower and finances. Therefore, an analysis of 452 LBW infants at the IPGMER and SSKM Hospitals was made. The study reveals the highest mortality rates of 69.6% in the very LBW (1500 g) category compared to an overall mortality rate in LBW of 24.1%. The 1st 24 hour deaths accounted for 45 of the 109 (41.2%) deaths. In salvaging these 2 major groups of high mortality rates, trained personnel have only a minor influence. It is desirable to transfer these high risk infants to specialized neonatal centers which are equipped with adequate diagnostic and resuscitative facilities.