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Biomedical subjects

V Y Yu

Publications and source records attributed to V Y Yu.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Improving prognosis for infants weighing 1000 g or less at birth.

In the two years 1977 and 1978, 55 infants weighing less than or equal to 1000 g were admitted to the neonatal unit of the Queen Victoria Medical Centre. Overall neonatal survival was 60%; 44% of infants weighing 501-750 g and 67% of infants weighing 751-1000 g survived. One postneonatal death occurred at 51 days. Maternal risk factors were present in 80% of infants, although none had an effect on survival. Perinatal asphyxia, as indicated by an Apgar score less than or equal to 3 at five minutes, and base deficit greater than 10 mmol/l on admission, were associated with decreased survival. Mortality data with increasing postnatal age were used to produce a chart for sequential predication of neonatal survival. Intraventricular haemorrhage remained the most common necropsy finding. Follow-up of 32 survivors to date has shown no abnormalities, with the exception of one retrolental fibroplasia, and one porencephaly of unknown aetiology. We conclude that the prognosis for infants weighing less than or equal to 1000 g has continued to improve. From a review of the clinical and pathological characteristics in these infants however, it is obvious that this outcome requires complex organisation and costly resources in perinatal centres to which high-risk pregnancies must be transferred for optimal management both before and after birth.

Australia↗

Perinatal asphyxia and outcome of very low birthweight infants.

Seventy-eight very low birthweight (VLBW) infants (whose birthweights were 1500 g or less) were admitted to the Neonatal Special Care Unit in 1977. Seventy-two of them required treatment in the intensive care area; these represented 40% of admissions to that area of the Unit. The mortality rate was 20% for infants weighing 1001 g to 1500 g, and 52% for those weighing 501 g to 1000 g. An Apgar score of 0 to 3 at two minutes and five minutes was reported in 34% and 19% of VLBW infants respectively. Although there was no difference in birthweight between the groups with a high or low Apgar score, the mortality rate of infants with a five-minute Apgar score of 0 to 3 was 79% compared to 22% in those with a score of 4 to 10. Over 50% of the infants developed hyaline membrane disease regardless of Apgar score. However, in the infants with a five-minute Apgar score of 0 to 3, the severity of respiratory insufficiency was increased as indicated by increased requirement for high inspired oxygen, and the need for intermittent positive pressure ventilation. The duration of stay in the neonatal intensive care area, and the total length of hospital stay of the 49 VLBW survivors were shorter in the group with higher two-minute and five-minute Apgar scores. Long-term morbidity cannot yet be ascertained. It is likely that prevention, or prompt detection, and appropriate management of perinatal asphyxia would produce a further decline in mortality as well as morbidity for VLBW infants.

Acute Disease↗