The incidence and factors predicting survival among preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome admitted to neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Introduction: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) or hyaline membrane disease (HMD) is the most common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. The aims of the study were to determine the incidence of RDS in preterm infants in Thailand and to identify factors predicting survival of preterm infants with RDS. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 820 preterm infants from January 2016 to December 2019 in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) of a tertiary hospital located in the north of Thailand. Data were collected from hospital medical records. The incidence of RDS was analyzed. Binary logistic regression was used to predict factors related to survival of preterm infants with RDS. Results: The incidence of RDS in infants born at <37 weeks’ gestation was 44.15% of all preterm infants. This study showed that birth weight and length of stay could significantly predict survival of preterm infants with RDS (p<0.05). Conclusions: The current study found that the incidence remains a problem, while birth weight and length of stay predicted survival of preterm infants with RDS. These findings provide nurses and other healthcare providers with information to anticipate care required in the NICU to improve survival of preterm infants. This information can be used to plan care for the infant and to educate and support parents.