THE DUBLIN OUTCOME FOR LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS

This report describes outcomes for all infants with birth weight 501-1 750 grams born in the three major maternity hospitals in Dublin betwee n 1.1.90 to 31.12.91. 37,958 mothers delivered 38,498 infants during t his period, consisting of approximately 36% of all deliveries in Irela nd. 633 (1.6%) of all infants born weighed 501-1750 grms. 102 (16%) we re stillborn and 28 of the 531 live born infants had lethal malformati ons, 30% of women received two or more doses of antenatal steroids bef ore delivery and a highly significant negative correlation occurred be tween the need for ventilation after birth and antenatal steroids. 56. 4% of babies were delivered by caesarean section as compared with 10.8 % of the hospital population, Of 503 liveborn infants without lethal m alformation, 426 (85%) survived to 28 days and 419 (83%) to discharge home. 15% were growth retarded, 46% of infants were ventilated, mean d uration of ventilation was 7 days. 25% of infants had an intraventricu lar haemorrhage, 10% necrotising enterocolitis and 19% culture proven sepsis. 15% of survivors developed broncho pulmonary dysplasia and 12% retinopathy of prematurity. This paper describes important informatio n for mortality, morbidity and interventions among a large population of low birth weight infants in Ireland and can be used as a basis agai nst which to compare future alterations in practice, It demonstrates a dear benefit for antenatal steroids in decreasing the need for ventil ation and the importance of ensuring their utilisation antenatally whe re possible.