Obstetric factors affecting outcome in low birthweight infants

ABSTRACT

The incidence of low birthweight babies at the Mount Hope Women's Hospital was 3.86 percent. Perinatal mortality was very high in those weighing less than 1,000grams. Above this weight, the presence of ruptured membranes, without chorioamnionitis, was associated with a significantly better foetal salvage than if pre-term labour occurred without rupture of the membranes. The effect was specifically noticeable in babies weighing 1,000-1,499 grams. The commonest associated factor was pre-eclampsia. In these babies, outcome was not significantly better, despite the general claim that infants subjected to intra-uterine stress stand a better chance of survival. Caesarian sections were performed in 17.5 percent of cases, mainly in cases of severe foetal compromise, but this high rate was not associated with improved perinatal outcome (AU)