[Premature births with special reference to delivery management].

The 1055 premature births of the last 10 years in the Altdöbern women's hospital with a centre for premature births have been summarized and analysed in groups with regard to the distribution of birth-weight, the obstetric measures and the perinatal mortality. A change of the operative procedure at the premature birth together with a marked increase of the frequency of the operative deliveries from 28,7 p.c. (group I) to 55,1 p.c. (group III) has been compared to the uncleaned mortality of the premature children of 20,0. p.c. (group I) and 16,4 p.c. (group III). The importance of the large prophylactic measures and of the improved birth-supervision and maintenance of premature births are emphasized in connection with it. Inferences for a further reduction of the perinatal mortality are drawn.