Methods of delivery and resuscitation of very-low-birthweight infants in Victoria: 1982-1985.

This article describes the patterns of delivery and resuscitation for very-low-birthweight infants who were born in Victoria from 1982 to 1985. Caesarean delivery rates increased from 15% to 30% for infants of birthweights of 500-999 g, and from 39% to 52% for infants of birthweights of 1000-1499 g. In level-III hospitals, the proportion of live-born infants who did not receive active resuscitation fell from 32% to 18% for those who weighed 500-999 g, and from 28% to 15% for those who weighed 1000-1499 g. Time trends over the four years showed the management of very-low-birthweight infants to be in a state of rapid transition in all birth settings. At the same time there was a fall in the still-birth rate of infants of birthweights of 500-999 g. Still-births rates for infants of birthweights of 1000-1499 g remained unchanged, as did neonatal mortality rates in both weight groups.