Characteristics and predictors of survival for 292 VLBW babies admitted to the CMJAH PNICU between 1 January 2013 and 30 June 2015
| Variable | Babies with the condition (%) | Percentage of babies with the condition that died (95% CI) | Percentage of babies without the condition that died (95% CI) | p Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of birth* | ||||
| Born outside health facility | 19 (6.5) | 68.4 (47.5 to 89.3) | 0.008 | |
| Born at another unit | 97 (33.2) | 32.0 (22.7 to 41.3) | ||
| Born at CMJAH | 176 (60.3) | 43.8 (36.5 to 51.1) | ||
| Antenatal care | 171 (58.6) | 39.8 (32.5 to 47.1) | 43.8 (35.0 to 52.6) | 0.49 |
| Antenatal steroids | 86 (29.5) | 43.0 (32.5 to 53.5) | 40.8 (34.1 to 47.5) | 0.722 |
| Maternal HIV | 98 (33.6) | 49.0 (39.1 to 58.9) | 37.6 (30.8 to 44.4) | 0.063 |
| Caesarean section | 124 (42.5) | 39.5 (30.9 to 48.1) | 44.2 (35.7 to 52.7) | 0.817 |
| Male | 164 (56.2) | 42.7 (35.1 to 50.3) | 40.2 (31.7 to 48.7) | 0.638 |
| Resuscitated at birth | 112 (38.4) | 50.9 (41.6 to 60.2) | 35.6 (28.6 to 42.6) | 0.099 |
| Early-onset sepsis | 10 (3.4) | 60 (29.6 to 90.4) | 39.8 (33.9 to 45.7) | 0.358 |
| IVH ¾* | 32 (10.9) | 53.1 (35.8 to 70.4) | 33.3 (26.6 to 40.0) | <0.001 |
| Hyaline membrane disease | 268 (91.8) | 41.4 (35.5 to 47.3) | 41.6 (21.9 to 61.3) | 0.981 |
| Surfactant | 228 (78.1) | 39.9 (33.5 to 46.3) | 46.9 (34.7 to 59.1) | 0.318 |
| Patent ductus arteriosus* | 83 (28.4) | 26.5 (17.0 to 36.0) | 47.3 (40.5 to 54.1) | <0.001 |
| NEC* | 72 (24.7) | 62.5 (51.3 to 73.7) | 34.5 (28.2 to 40.8) | <0.001 |
| NEC surgery* | 39 (13.4) | 56.4 (40.8 to 72.0) | 39.1 (33.1 to 45.1) | 0.041 |
| Other surgery | 36 (12.3) | 50 (33.7 to 66.3) | 40.2 (34.2 to 46.2) | 0.265 |
| Blood transfusion | 88 (30.1) | 38.7 (32.0 to 45.4) | 47.7 (37.3 to 58.1) | 0.152 |
| Hyperglycaemia | 68 (22.3) | 51.5 (39.6 to 63.4) | 38.4 (32.0 to 44.8) | 0.055 |
| Hypoglycaemia | 38 (13.0) | 42.1 (26.4 to 57.8) | 41.3 (35.2 to 47.4) | 0.929 |
| Hypernatraemia | 22 (7.5) | 40.9 (20.4 to 61.4) | 41.5 (35.6 to 47.4) | 0.958 |
| Metabolic acidosis* | 39 (13.4) | 19.2 (54.7 to 83.7) | 37.2 (31.2 to 43.2) | <0.001 |
| Late-onset sepsis | 142 (48.6) | 39.3 (31.5 to 47.1) | 43.7 (35.5 to 51.9) | 0.453 |
| Major birth defect | 19 (6.5) | 42.1 (19.9 to 64.3) | 41.4 (36.4 to 46.4) | 0.951 |
*Statistically significant predictors of survival on univariate analysis.
CMJAH, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital; IVH, intraventricular haemorrhage; NEC, necrotising enterocolitis; PNICU, paediatric/neonatal intensive care unit.