Survival of the tiny neonate: USD School of Medicine/Sioux Valley Hospital experience, 1981-1992

The survival of very low birth weight newborn infants of < or = 1000 gms cared for in the University of South Dakota School of Medicine/Sioux Valley Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was analyzed for the 12 year period of 1981-1992. Survival has increased from 45% in 1981-1983 to 65% in 1990-1992. The most recent figures for 1990-1992 indicate 54% survival in neonates of < or = 600 gms, 73% in those of 601-700 gms, 56% in those of 701-800 gms, 60% in those of 801-900 gms and 81% in those of 901-1000 gms. Survival rates by birth weight and gestational age are comparable to nationally published statistics. The potential for normal long term outcome, including physical growth and intellectual development, appears to be very good, with 74% of long term survivors having no evidence of severe physical or neurologic impairment at the time of discharge from the hospital.