THE INCIDENCE OF ACUTE NEONATAL RESPIRATORY DISORDERS IN PADOVA COUNTY - AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC SURVEY

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of respiratory di seases in newborns and the mortality rate caused by the same disorders in an area-based survey conducted during the period extending from Ju ne 1, 1993, to May 31, 1994. These rates were related to sex, gestatio nal age, birth weight, Apgar score, mode of delivery and obstetric pat hologies. A total of 7588 newborns were studied. A simple diagnostic s ystem was used. which was based on clinical, laboratory and instrument al criteria. The incidence of respiratory disorders was 3.3%: the over all mortality rate was 0.28% and the case fatality rate fur respirator y distress syndrome was 14.8%. Neonatal asphyxia was frequently associ ated with respiratory diseases.