[Mortality and morbidity among infants with extremely low birth weight]

We reviewed outcomes in 65 infants with extremely low birth weight who were treated at our perinatal center from January 1981 through December 1989. Included in the study were infants whose gestational age was less than or equal to 26 weeks and whose birth weight was less than or equal to 750 grams. The outcomes were compared for three periods, 1981-83 (n = 16), 1984-86 (n = 20) and 1987-89 (n = 29). There was no significant difference in survival rate during the study period (19 vs 25 vs 31%). However, significantly more children now survive the first 24 hours of life.