title: Risk factors for neonatal mortality among extremely-low-birth-weight infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine characteristics associated with neonatal mortality among extremely low-birth-weight infants (< or = 1000 g).
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based, case-control study using linked Missouri birth and death certificates from 1989 to 1997 was conducted. Cases (n = 835) were defined as extremely low-birth-weight infants that died within 28 days of birth. Controls (n = 907) were randomly selected from extremely low-birth-weight infants that were alive at 1 year and were frequency matched to subjects by birth year and birth weight.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Infants born with severe congenital anomalies and at the youngest gestational ages were at greatest risk for neonatal mortality. Other significant risk factors included maternal age (< 18 and > 34 years), vaginal delivery, nontertiary hospital care, malpresentation, male gender, and small for gestational age. Black race and preeclampsia were protective against early death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The risk of neonatal mortality among extremely low-birth-weight infants was associated with several maternal, infant, and obstetric factors, some of which may be preventable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, Saint Louis University School of Public Health, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bacak
authors.forename: Kesha
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baptiste-Roberts
authors.forename: Erol
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amon
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ireland
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007746:Labor Presentation; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia; D011247:Pregnancy; D044469:Racial Groups; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors