Preoperative condition of neonates who have ultimately died.

In a retrospective study the case sheets of 42 neonates are examined. They were infants with oesophageal atresias, small and large intestinal atresias, exomphalos and gastroschisis, diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal obstruction as well as two children with a ruptured spleen secondary to birth trauma. Various laboratory investigations such as the pH, pCO2, standard bicarbonate and serum electrolytes as well as the child's weight on admission and, if possible, the birth weight were evaluated. There was no definite relationship between the preoperative laboratory values and the chances of survival of surgical neonates except if the values were extreme. Infections and septicaemia were the most important causes of postoperative complications.