10th Anniversary of the 'Geuksujeochejung Chulsaeng-a' Registration Project... Improving Survival Rates

The extremely low birth weight infant registration project, initiated to improve the survival rate of premature infants, has reached its 10th anniversary this year. The accumulated data of 20,000 premature infants collected so far has significantly contributed to increasing the survival rate of extremely low birth weight premature infants.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 19th, the "Korean Neonatal Network" (KNN), launched by the National Institute of Health under KDCA in collaboration with the Korean Society of Neonatology, has been collecting clinical data on more than 80% of extremely low birth weight infants since its inception in April 2013. It also operates a quality improvement program for neonatal intensive care units, striving to advance the management of extremely low birth weight infants.

Hospitals Participating in KNN. [Photo by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency]

Extremely low birth weight infants refer to premature infants weighing less than 1.5 kg at birth. Approximately 80 hospitals nationwide participate, registering over 2,000 infants annually, and as of the end of last year, data on 20,000 premature infants have been secured. Additionally, follow-up surveys are conducted at 18 months and 3 years of age to provide information on how the condition at birth and management affect growth and development. Since 2021, a quality improvement (QI) program aimed at enhancing premature infant care technology has been implemented to reduce the incidence of complications in premature infants.

Due to these efforts, the survival rate of extremely low birth weight premature infants in Korea improved from 84.9% in 2014 to 89.9% in 2021. The collected data has been utilized in related research, resulting in 80 papers published in international academic journals, which serve as evidence for improving the treatment, prognosis, and health policies for low birth weight infants.

Jiyoung Mi, Commissioner of the KDCA, stated, "In an era of low birth rates and aging population, the extremely low birth weight infant registry is expected to elevate the treatment standards of neonatal intensive care units in Korea to the world’s highest level and become an important research foundation to improve the health and quality of life of these precious children." Detailed information and achievements of the KNN have been published in the specialized neonatal medical journal, 'Neonatal Medicine.'