[Can the indications for the presence of the neonatal emergency service be determined before the onset of labor?].

The purpose of this study was to recommend guidelines for the consultation of the Neonatal Emergency Service when birth risks appear. Data from 39.479 births in 20 obstetric clinics and 1.723 emergency transports to the same clinics during the period 1979-1981 were analysed. The criteria applied for neonatal distress were necessity of resuscitation measures in the delivery room and perinatal mortality. It is recommended that the Neonatal Emergency Service should be called in before birth in the following cases: all premature births up to 34 weeks of gestation; from 35 to 37 weeks in case of additional risk factors; from 38th week onward in case of intrapartum bleeding, umbilical cord prolapse or tear, multiple births, transverse or face presentations and continuous heart rate deceleration.