[Prognosis for newborns of very low birthweight (author's transl)]

During the 5 years, 1975-1979, 144 infants weighing less than or equal to 1500 g (ranging from 400 to 1500 g) were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Mantua. 57 (40%) survived the neonatal period. The principal cause of death was hypoxia and hyaline membrane disease. After leaving the hospital, all the children were seen regularly to 1 year of age and 47 (82%) to 5 years of age. The infants received a neurological and physical evaluation at variable intervals; severe neurological handicaps were found in 2 (3,5%) infants, mild handicaps were observed in 6 (10,5%) infants. Pathological EEG was found in 1 (1,7%) case. The DQ was evaluated by the Gesell test; the DQ was below 80 in 1 child, between 80 and 89 in 2 infants and above 89 in the remaining cases. Three children had strabismus, none had retrolental fibroplasia. Follow-up audiometry was normal in all the subjects. The Authors conclude that intensive care increases the survival and reduces the incidence of serious handicaps in the newborns of very low birthweight.