[Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in Switzerland. Data for 1984 and comparison with 1974].

In a retrospective study (questionnaire) covering all the neonatal special care units of Switzerland, information was obtained on, the problem cases in 84% of all babies born in 1984. 8.3% were hospitalized. Clinical respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was diagnosed in 31% of these infants and hyaline membrane disease (HMD) in 6.3%. Mortality in clinical RDS was 7.1% and in HMD 19%. Mortality showed a high degree of correlation with birth-weight. Comparison of the 1984 data with a similar study in 1974 showed no significant change in the incidence of clinical RDS. The incidence of HMD (diagnosis by the same criteria) has fallen from 10.1% to 6.3%. Overall mortality in hospitalized newborns in Switzerland has decreased from 8.8% in 1974 to 4% in 1984.