Survival of low-birthweight infants in a Queensland provincial centre

Survival figures over a five-year period of low-birthweight infants (2000 g or less at birth) in two intensive care nurseries in Rockhampton , Queensland, are presented. The units were level 2 nurseries with some level 3 amenities . All live-born infants born in Rockhampton and infants retrieved from outlying areas were included in the study. The survival rate was nil for infants of less than 501 g at birth, 40% for those weighing between 500 and 751 g, 45% for those weighing 750 to 1001 g, 85% for those weighing 1001 to 1501 g and 91% for those weighing 1500 to 2001 g at birth. These results compare favourably with those for some level 3 intensive-care units.