Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
19:15
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Neonatal and "perinatal" mortality rates by birth weight
British Medical Journal
|November 5, 1977
Summary
Neonatal and perinatal mortality rates were analyzed by birth weight. Reducing preterm live births, rather than increasing salvage rates, may be more effective for liveborn infants, with no evidence supporting superintensive care for very low birth weight infants.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal and neonatal medicine
- Public health statistics
- Pediatric mortality analysis
Background:
- Neonatal and perinatal mortality rates remain critical public health indicators.
- Birth weight is a significant determinant of infant survival.
- Regional variations in mortality rates necessitate comparative analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare neonatal and perinatal mortality rates by birth weight between Sheffield and England and Wales.
- To investigate the factors contributing to observed changes in mortality rates.
- To evaluate strategies for reducing perinatal mortality, particularly for low birth weight infants.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of mortality data stratified by birth weight categories.
- Statistical examination of trends in neonatal and perinatal mortality.
- Assessment of the impact of different interventions on infant survival rates.
Main Results:
- A notable fall in neonatal mortality for infants weighing 2500g or less was observed in Sheffield, partly influenced by a decrease in the very low birth weight (1000g or less) group.
- This effect, while present in England and Wales, was less pronounced.
- No evidence suggests that superintensive care for infants weighing 1000g or less improves their mortality rate.
Conclusions:
- Reducing the number of preterm live births may be a more effective strategy for lowering perinatal mortality in liveborn infants compared to increasing salvage rates.
- The observed mortality reductions in specific birth weight groups require careful interpretation due to potential shifts in population numbers.
- Further research is needed to optimize interventions for extremely low birth weight infants.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:52Regression Toward the Mean
Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...