MORTALITY AND FOLLOW-UP DATA FOR NEONATES WEIGHING 500-G TO 800-G AT BIRTH

Survival and development of immature premature neonates (birth weight, .ltoreq. 800 g) at a single regional center were compared for 2.5 yr, when such neonates'' conditions were considered hopeless and for the next 4.5 yr, when aggressive therapy was used. During the first 2.5 yr, 2 (4%) of 56 survived, 1 of whom was profoundly impaired. Durig the next 4.5 yr, 65 (44%) of 147 survived. Of 65 survivors, 54 were followed up for at least 1 yr: 43% were normal, 22% had mild developmental delays and 19 (35%) were impaired. Of the 19 impaired, 1 was profoundly impaired and 4 were severely affected. The number of normal survivors and the high level of functioning of most of the impaired survivors suggests intensive care is as appropriate for neonates weighing .ltoreq. 800 g as for more mature, severely ill newborns.