[Maturation and fertility in women with low birthweights]

Some 6% infants are born with low birthweights (less than 2500 g). Due to better obstetric and neonatalogical care the percentage of surviving infants is increasing. Sexual maturation of girls, menarche, the course of their gestation and fertility are not frequently investigated. That is the objective of the present work.

The author evaluates two groups of women with birthweights lower than 2500 g: 1. 180 women born at the Gynaecological and Obstetric Clinic in 1995-1957. 2. 435 women dispensarized in the welfare centre for child and adolescent gynaecology at the same Clinic. Women of the control group born in 1969-1972 could not be evaluated because the addresses were not available.

The examined women with a lower birthweight reach an average height in adult age and the mean body weight is in the lower half of normal values for our population. Sexual maturation is harmonious, only slightly retarded, menarche is by 3-6 months delayed. The course of pregnancy and delivery is as a rule within the normal range, however the number of infants born with a birthweight of less than 2500 g is double. Therefore greater care during pregnancy is indicated.