Simian Neonatology: I. Gestational Maturity and Extrauterine Viability

Abstract

In a 21-month period, 225 simians were born at the New England Regional Primate Research Center. Of these, 141 (63%) survived the neonatal period, and 84 (37%) were either born dead or died during the first 30 days of life. Sixty-two of the 84 neonatal deaths occurred during the perinatal period (0–7 days of life). In four macaque species studied, groups of infants that were high and low survival risks were established by examining weight-specific death rates. Criteria for establishing immaturity by birth weight were suggested in Saguinus oedipus and Saimiri sciureus.