OUTCOME OF EXTREMELY LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS - 1980-1990

Neonatal and follow-up data of infants from the special care nursery w hose birth weights were < 750 g, born between 1980 and 1990, were revi ewed. There was a 20% relative improvement in the odds of surviving th e neonatal period, a 16% improvement in the odds of being discharged a nd a 19% improvement in the odds of surviving until 2 years of age wit h each consecutive year. Home oxygen use increased significantly over the study period. The neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants were simi lar over the 11-year period, with 53% being classified as neurological ly normal, with a mean developmental index of 83 at 1 to 2 years of ag e. We conclude that there has been an improved survival of infants wit h birth weights <750g in our institution, and that the overall inciden ce of serious neurodevelopmental deficits among survivors has remained stable.