Outcome of very low-birth weight infants born at a perinatal center.

One hundred six infants with birth weights less than or equal to 1,000 gm were born at a Perinatal Center in 1979 and 1980. Eighty-three (78%) were born to women transferred to the Center because of antenatal problems. The most common obstetric problem was premature labor with or without premature rupture of the membranes. Seventy-two infants (68%) survived. The following perinatal factors were associated with increased survival: increased birth weight and gestational age, intrauterine growth retardation, antenatal steroids, absence of hyaline membrane disease, and absence of seizures or clinical signs of intraventricular hemorrhage. Of the 72 survivors, two were lost to follow-up and one died (sudden infant death syndrome). The most common general health problem was recurrent middle ear infection. Growth was satisfactory. Significant neurological or developmental handicap was found in nine infants (13% of the 69 evaluated).