Neonatal mortality risk in relation to gestational age and birthweight. Results of a national survey of preterm and very-low-birthweight infants in the Netherlands.
In a cohort of 1338 very preterm and/or very-low-birthweight infants, representing 94% of all infants born alive after less than 32 weeks' gestation or weighing less than 1500 g in the Netherlands in 1983, the neonatal mortality rate was 233 per 1000. In these infants, the best obstetric estimate of gestational age was a better predictor of neonatal mortality than birthweight. In such pregnancies, careful obstetric assessment of gestational age seems to be a more accurate basis for clinical decisions and management than the expected birthweight.
Verloove-Vanhorick
S P
SP
Verwey
R A
RA
Brand
R
R
Gravenhorst
J B
JB
Keirse
M J
MJ
Ruys
J H
JH
D001724:Birth Weight; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D009426:Netherlands; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012306:Risk; D012737:Sex Factors