The Incidence of Respiratory Distress Syndrome among Preterm Infants Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Study

Maryam Saboute¹, Mandana Kashaki¹, Arash Bordbar¹, Nasrin Khalessi^2*, Zahra Farahani³

¹Department of Pediatrics, Akbarabadi Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
²Department of Pediatrics, Ali Asghar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
³Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: 10.4236/ojped.2015.54043                

Abstract

Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) or hyaline membrane disease (HMD) is the most common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. We aimed to determine the frequency of RDS among 3 groups of preterm infants and the value of some related factors. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive analytical investigation was carried out in the NICU ward of Akbarabadi Hospital (Tehran-Iran) during spring 2011. Newborns’ data were collected and assessed by using their hospital medical records. Seventy-three preterm infants with gestational age < 34 weeks were hospitalized in the NICU. All participants were divided into 3 groups: extremely preterm (<28 weeks), very preterm (28 to <32 weeks) and moderate preterm (32 to 34 weeks). Frequency of RDS and some related factors were compared among 3 groups. Results: RDS was observed in 65.6% of all participants; however frequency of RDS was not different between three groups. An inversely correlation was found between gestational age and mortality rate (p = 0.05). In regard to Betamethasone administration prior to birth, this interval was significantly longer in alive neonates in comparison to infants who died (p < 0.05). Conclusion: RDS was frequent in preterm neonates with gestational age < 32 weeks. Time of Betamethasone administration prior to birth can significantly influence on neonatal mortality rate.

Keywords

Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Preterm Infant, Mortality Rate

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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