The effect of obstetric management on neonatal mortality and morbidity for infants weighing 700-1000 grams.

The obstetric and neonatal factors influencing survival and neurologic outcome are examined in 79 infants with birthweights of 700-1000 gm. The overall survival was 57%, with a normal neurologic examination at 1 year present in 73%. Factors that were significantly related to outcome were Apgar score at 5 minutes, birthweight, prenatal steroid administration, and lack of respiratory distress syndrome. Delivery by cesarean section did not improve survival or neurologic outcome. The implications of these results on the attitude toward management of the very-low-birthweight infant is discussed.