[Neonatal mortality, morbidity and late sequelae in infants with birth weight under 1.501 gr or gestational age under 31 weeks, primarily admitted to a central hospital].

The purpose of the study was during a three year period from 1990 to 1992 to describe the neonatal mortality, morbidity and the late complications of 75 very low birth weight infants primarily treated in the neonatal department of a County Hospital. The study was performed retrospectively. The mean birth weight was 1292 g in (range 755-2046 g) and the mean gestational age 29.9 weeks (range 25-37 weeks). The primary choice of treatment was nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nasal-CPAP) and "minimal handling" regime. When needed surfactant administration and/or mechanical ventilation was used. Twenty neonates (27%) received mechanical ventilation, and 14 (19%) were treated with surfactant (Curosurf). The mortality (8%) (95% confidence limits 2.9%-16.6%) and morbidity is low. Late complications such as cerebral palsy or mental retardation were seen in eight infants (12.1%) (95% confidence limits 5.4-22.5%). The results of our treatment seem acceptable, and confirm an increasing survival among very low birth weight infants.