Infants of Very Low Birthweight. II: Perinatal Factors in and Conditions Associated with Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

The incidence and case fatality of certain neonatal conditions reported in 692 liveborn infants of birthweights 2000 g or less born in southeast London, England in 1970, 1971 and 1973 are presented. Of the 692, 210 (30.3%) died in the neonatal period; respiratory disease and cerebral hemorrhage were the leading causes of death; 482 (69.7%) survived. In these infants, jaundice, respiratory disease and biochemical disorders were the most frequently reported conditions. Because of the numerical importance of the respiratory distress syndrome as a single and as an associated diagnosis, a special study was made of predisposing factors. Gestational age, sex, condition of the infant assessed after birth, temperature of the infant on admission for care, and cesarean section were all independently associated with the incidence of respiratory distress. This confirms the views that the incidence could be reduced if particular attention were paid to the maintenance of body temperature, especially in those infants at risk by reason of the other factors identified.