Impact of Meconium Obstruction-Related Risk Factors on Surgical Intervention in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

• Published in: Neonatal medicine (Seoul, Korea) p. 182
• Main Authors: 권현섭, 정지미, 임윤정, 남소현, 임지나, 정미림
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 대한신생아학회 01.08.2015
• Subjects: 소아과학
• ISSN: 2287-9412; 2287-9803

PURPOSE This study investigated the risks of development and surgical complications of meconium obstruction (MO) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS We performed a retrospective medical record review of VLBW infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Haeundae Paik hospital and diagnosed with MO of prematurity (MOP) between March 2010 and August 2013. RESULTS Of 267 VLBW infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, 28 were diagnosed with MOP. Perinatal factors including maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension and small for gestational age were associated with MOP development (P<0.05). Over two-thirds of VLBW infants with MOP were successfully treated with a gastrografin enema. The remaining eight VLBW infants required surgery. Although small for gestational age was more frequent in the medical treatment group, specific risk factors associated with MOP development did not affect the need for surgical intervention. CONCLUSION MOP is common in VLBW infants, as most VLBW infants have risk factors for MOP. Identifying risk factors permits early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate medical treatment, reducing the necessity for surgery. However, the presence of specific risk factors does not increase risk of surgical complications. KCI Citation Count: 0