PREMATURE NEWBORNS WITH VERY-LOW BIRTH WEIGHT - MEDICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES

The newborns with very-low birth weight (VLBW) present a high-risk group in terms of morbidity and mortality. In 1996-2000, a total of 264 newborns with birth weight below 1500g were treated in the Neonatology Intensive Care Unit of the Clinic of Neonatology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Varna and in the Clinic of Obstetrics, Specialized Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Varna. Respiratory distress syndrome and infectious pathology were the leading causes for VLBW morbidity. The most widespread infectious agents were Enterococcus, E. coli, Pseudomonas, and Enterobacteriae. The mortality rate was highest within the first 24 hours. Most commonly, the respiratory distress syndrome, maternal- fetal infections caused by Gram-negative flora and perinatal asphyxia caused death. The intensive treatment included mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy, surfactants, parenteral nutrition, bioproducts, and antibiotics. Modern methods for noninvasive monitoring of blood gases and saturation, follow-up by ophthalmopediatricians, neurologists and psychologists, ultrasound and C T diagnosis of the central nervous system could decrease of the complications and damages of prematurity