[Statistical analysis of a neonatal service opened within a 2-year period]

We present a statistical study of unit 2 for newborns in Children's Hospital R. Gutiérrez, of the Buenos Aires municipality. An investigation was made which covered newborns who left the hospital from August 1976 to July 1978; during that period, 381 newborns finished their treatment. Summarizing the data assigned to death rate (22%) we could see a greater number during the first week; this tells us about the severe illness of the newborns that come into our service; we could also observe a significant mortality in newborns of high weight for their gestational age. The newborns with malformations have presented increased degree of illness and higher percentage of deaths (36%). From this review we had the idea of making a prospective study of our medical work, introducing, for a more correct evaluation, the degree of severeness when they come into the hospital and the classification of levels of high risk of the newborns.