[Mortality and neurological morbidity in prematurely born infants and low birthweight infants born at term].

In a follow-up study the fate and development of 245 prematures with a birthweight below 1,500 g and of 230 infants with a birth weight of 1,501-2,500 g are reported. The mortality of infants with a birthweight below 1,500 g was 29.8%, in the group of infants with higher birthweights 9.1%. The frequency of severe neurological sequelae in infants with very low birthweight was 8.2%, in the other group of infants 3.5%. Minor handicaps and developmental abnormalities were found in a frequency of 12.2%, and 4.7% respectively. These results meet the present international standard in centers for perinatal medicine. Prospective investigations are mandatory to recognize causal factors for later severe handicaps.