Mortality in infants of birthweight 2500g and above: a hospital-based review in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

In order to study mortality patterns among full-grown infants, the records of all babies of birthweight 2500g and above admitted into the Special Care Baby Unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, over a three-year period were retrieved and examined. There was a total of 1519 admissions during the period, 878 (58%) of whom weighed 2500g and above, and 39 of these full-grown babies died. Common associated findings among infants who died were birth asphyxia and congenital malformations. Furthermore birth asphyxia occurred more commonly among the large and mature babies and was a significant cause of first week deaths. It should be possible to reduce the magnitude of wastage of this group of babies by encouraging pregnant women to make use of the available facilities. High risk pregnancies should be recognised promptly and above all there should be intimate cooperation among all those involved in delivery and care of the newborn; paediatricians, midwives, obstetricians and anaesthetists.