ANALYSIS OF MORBIDITY AMONG EXTREMELY PREMATURE CHILDREN AT EARLY AGE

Abstract

Introduction. The state of health of prematurely born children is an important medical and social concern. Today, the number of premature babies is increasing all over the world. According to the World Health Organization, about 15 million children are born prematurely every year. About 80% of children are born with a particular pathology. Premature infants are a special group of pediatric patients, who necessitate prompt diagnosis and intervention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the morbidity rates among patients in the intensive care unit born with very low and extremely low body weight. Materials and methods. The results of the clinical observation of 178 premature newborns, who were born with a body weight less than 1500 g, are presented. Somatic diseases and disabling pathology experienced by the child during the first three years of life were examined. Results. The data we received show that almost 50% of babies are discharged from obstetric hospitals with anemia, in the next six months the number of children with anemia reached approximately 60%. We found that iron deficiency in the post-neonatal period correlates with the formation of remote neurological disorders in children born with a body weight less than 1500 g. Diseases of the nervous system play a predominant role in the spectrum of health issues affecting premature infants. This emphasizes the need for ongoing enhancements in diagnostic methods and timely interventions to improve the prognosis for their future development. Conclusions. The emergence of neurological complications in the long-term for very-low-birth-weight infants is closely tied to critical conditions during the perinatal and neonatal periods. This underscores the importance of considering these factors in the planning and implementation of preventive and therapeutic measures. The efficacy of follow-up observations for this cohort of children is heightened through the application of early intervention methods. Early intervention ensures the prompt identification and correction of adverse consequences stemming from premature birth in accordance with contemporary standards.