Improved outcome for infants weighting less than 750 grams at birth: effects of advances in perinatal care, infection prevention and maternal transport for fetus.

Between 1980 and 1987, we investigated the outcome for 20 infants with birth weights less than 750 g, admitted to the neonatal unit of Kyushu University Hospital. All infants were delivered at the hospital. Seven infants (35%) survived and were discharged. Comparing the first and second 4 year periods, the survival rate improved from 17% (1 of 6 infants) to 43% (6 of 14 infants). Intensive perinatal care, prevention of infection and early transport of mothers of high-risk babies improved the outcome. In the long-term, among the 7 survivors, 1 had psychomotor retardation, 1 had epilepsy and the other 5 were normal neurologically. Growth in height and weight of these children remained below the -2SD levels until 2 years of age, thereafter they began to catch up. Growth in head circumference increased to a level above the -2SD value from 2 years of age. With intensive perinatal care, the outcome for infants weighting less than 750 g is improving, and good results may be expected.