Analysis of low birthweight infants with respect to gestational age: Fourth report of the German analysis of births in 1992

Objective: The group of low birthweight infants (less than or equal to 2499 g, LBW) infants includes eutrophic preterm infants and growth retarded ter m infants. These subgroups may vary considerably in morbidity and mortality . Analysis of LBW infants requires a precise and immediate classification o f neonates on the basis of gestational age and birthweight. The aim of this study was to analyze according to gestational age the collective of infant s with a birthweight less than or equal to 2499 g. Methods: The birth data of 559 833 singleton infants born in Germany in 199 2 with gestational age confirmed by early sonography were analyzed. The bas is for the evaluation of gestational age and birthweight were perinatal par ameters routinely documented in Germany. The somatic development state was examined with recently developed percentile curves, Results: A total of 26 083 (4.7%) of the nenates had a birthweight less tha n or equal to 2499 g and 6.24% were preterm. Of the LBW infants, 37.2 % wer e born at term or posterm and 62.8 % were born before 37 completed gestatio nal weeks. Only 47.9 % of LBW infants were appropriate weight for gestation al age. conclusions: Precise postpartum classification of neonates according to the ir somatic development requires improved documentation with perinatologic q uestionnaires.