Respiratory distress in newborn infants: contribution to current mortality

A review of infants with respiratory distress born at the Mercy Maternity Hospital, Melbourne, during the years from 1975 to 1977 showed that live-born infants totalled 13304; 288 (2.2%) had respiratory distress. Of the 13304 infants, 197 died; 75 (38.1%) were infants with respiratory distress. Hyaline membrane disease was the cause of the respiratory distress in 153 (53.1%) infants; 58 (37.9%) infants with that problem died. Hyaline membrane disease accounted for 58 (77.3%) of the 75 deaths in infants with respiratory distress. Assisted ventilation was required in 147 (51.0%) infants with respiratory distress and chronic complications of its use acceptable as bronchopulmonary dysplasia occurred in only 8.2% and retrolental fibroplasia in only 3.4%; it is suggested that assisted ventilation was commenced too late in 23 (34.0%) infants. Twenty-eight (42.0%) infants with respiratory distress died despite correct usage of assisted ventilation. This number attests to the dangers of prematurity; hence the decision to deliver an infant prematurely should not be taken lightly.