PROFILE OF PREMATURE NEWBORNS WITH VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT ADMITTED TO A NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the profile of premature newborns with very low birth weight admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. Materials e methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional quantitative study with newborns less than 37 weeks, weighing less than 1.500 g, who were discharged in the period from January to June 2015 in a maternal/child reference hospital. Information concerning the 37 newborns were collected. The statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square and Student’s t test for independent samples. Results: There was a predominance of female newborns (73%); moderate preterm (73%); short for gestational age (73%); and cesarean births (62.2%). The mean hospital stay was 43.8 days, with an average daily gain of 12.3 g. The average increase in head circumference was 4 cm. A high infection rate related to health care (91.9%) and respiratory distress syndrome (62.2%) were found. The average period for recovery of birth weight was 12.5 days. A total of 37.8% of individuals were born weighing below percentile <3 and 94.6% were discharged below percentile <3. The same happened concerning the head circumference, in which 40.6% were born below percentile <3 and 54.1% discharged below percentile <3. An average of 2.4 days for early minimal enteral diet was found. The predominant type of feed after discharge was breastfeeding complemented by the formula (56.8%). Conclusion: The growth deficit was related to the long hospitalization stay, inadequate or insufficient nutrition and high rates of infection. Thus, it is essential to provide the necessary conditions to support the infants’ growth. DESCRIPTORS Preterm. Growth and Development. Comorbidity.