DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i04.022

Pages: 1721-1725

Low birth weight (LBW) babies are prone for various complications which effect the short term and long term outcome of these babies. Although technological advances in neonatal care have helped to improve survival of LBW babies, significant number of them remains with severe sequelae. Hence the present study was taken up to evaluate the immediate complications and long term outcome in terms of growth and development of LBW babies. A hospital based prospective observational study was conducted from March 2012 to August 2013. LBW babies admitted in NICU were enrolled in the study. Their complications during hospital stay were recorded. Survived babies were followed up for one year to monitor their growth and development. Out of 700 LBW babies enrolled in the study 73.8% were preterm and 26.2% were term IUGR. Overall mortality was 23.7%. Major causes of mortality were RDS and sepsis among preterm babies and sepsis and birth asphyxia among term IUGR babies. Out of 534 babies followed up, 178 babies were lost to follow up. 6.2% expired, 31% had poor catch up growth and 22% had dev