Very low birthweight infants: outcome in a sub-Arctic population

To evaluate the outcome for very low birthweight (VLBW) infants in northern Norway.

All live born infants (n = 536) with birthweight < or = 1500 g born during 1978-89 to women residing in the northern health region of Norway were studied retrospectively. Data were from the Medical Birth Registry (MBR), hospital records and from follow-up recordings to 4 y of age at maternal and child health centres. Stillborn infants (n = 269) with birthweight < or = 1500 g during the same period were also registered.

The annual incidence of live born VLBW infants (7.1/1000 live births) did not change, but the proportion of infants born alive before 26 weeks' gestation increased and the stillborn part decreased significantly. The Caesarean section (CS) rate, antenatal transfer and the use of a neonatal transport team increased significantly. Four hundred and seventy-five infants (89%) were considered viable at birth, 347 (65%) survived to 1 y and 343 (64%) to 4 y. The likelihood of survival was independently related to female gender. The trend for survival to 4 y of age did not increase significantly. Thirty children suffered from cerebral palsy (8.7% of survivors, 5.6% of live births) and the cerebral palsy rate for infants with birthweight 751-1000 g decreased. The proportion of survivors considered to be normal or mild disabled increased and the part suffering from moderate or severe disability decreased significantly.

In spite of long distances and unfavourable climatic conditions VLBW infants can be adequately cared for in this sparsely populated region of Norway.