Mortality and Short-Term Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Infants at a Tertiary Care Center in Jordan: Comparison with Other Countries

Purpose: Very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) are the most fragile group of neonates with high rate of mortality and morbidity. Neonatal mortality rate in Jordan is still high. This is the first study from Jordan that aims to assess VLBWI mortality rate and the factors contributed to it and to report on the short outcomes and morbidities of those newborns in comparison to other countries to identify potential areas of improvement. Methods: A prospective study of all newborns with birth weight 500-1500 g, admitted to our level three neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Jordan university hospital over 14 months period. The results were compared to reports from other countries. Results: The study included 71 neonates admitted to our neonatal intensive care weighing from 500-1500 g during the study period. Most of them (88.7%) were inborn infants. Gestational ages mean ± SD was 28.6 ± 2.3 week. Birth weights mean ± SD was 1086.7 ± 262 g. Mortality rate was 35.2%. Short outcomes of survivors are for CLD 4.2%, sever ROP 3.8%, proven NEC 2.8%, PVL 1.9% and sever IVH rate was 10.6%. Conclusions: Mortality rate in our cohort is high. Multiple factors are involved. The care of very low birth infants in Jordan needs a lot of efforts to decrease mortality and improve morbidities. This is a prospective single center study. A multicenter study is needed that involves all health sectors in Jordan.