Incidence and Major Perinatal Complications in Extremely Low Birth Weight

Introduction: Newborns with extreme prematurity are considered those who have a birth weight under 1000 grams. Morpho-functional plurivisceral imaturity lead to particular diseases, through frequency and gravity. Objectives: The authors aim to study a lot of newborns with extremely low birth weight and to determine the major complications specific for this category. Material and method: the study was carried out in the Premature and Neonatology Department during two years, on a group of 20 premature newborns with birth weight under 1000 grams (800 grams1000 grams), with gestational age between 27-32 weeks. Results: In the group studied the distribution by sex showed a number of 11 (55% ) male newborns and 9 (45% ) female newborns. Respiratory distress syndrome was present in 14 cases (70%), prematurity apnea in 16 cases (80%). It was diagnosed a case of necrotizing enterocolitis. The patent ductus arteriosus was revealed by ultrasound in 8 cases (40%), in 2 cases was associated with septal atrial defect. Intraventricular hemorrhage of several degrees revealed with transfontanelar ultrasound in a ratio of 60%-12 newborns. Within the screening program for prematurity retinopathy the entire group was evaluated, 9 of them (45%) presenting signs of retinopathy in several stages. All the premature presented several degrees of anemia. Conclusions: Extreme prematurity is an important risk factor in increasing neonatal morbidity and mortality, premature with very low birth weight being the most exposed to all major complications of prematurity both in neonatal period and after this.