Preterm labour and neonatal parameters.

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to identify those neonatal factors associated with survival in preterm infants.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We examined a population of 457 preterm newborns delivered between 1 January-31 December 1990, with birthweight between < 1000 gr and > 2000 gr, in respect to umbilical pH values, plasmatic glucose values, 5-minute Apgar score and gestational age. Data were abstracted from the maternal intrapartum records and the neonatal records, with specific attention to neonatal parameters.

RESULTS

A positive correlation between birthweight and 5-minute Apgar score, between birthweight, pH and glucose values was noted. No such relationship existed between pH values and 5-minute Apgar score. Within birthweight groups the distribution of neonatal mortality rate was 85.18% in ELBW (Extremely Low Birth Weight) and only 5.26% in LBW (Low Birth Weight).

CONCLUSION

The importance of the echographic estimate of the fetal weight must be emphasized, since a birthweight of 1500 gr represents the cut-off for the neonatal morbidity and mortality, and also an accurate clinical evaluation of the risk of preterm labour or pathologies in order to improve the estimate of childbirth timing.