Perinatal mortality related to low birth weight
Malamitsi-Puchner, A.
European Journal of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 41(1): 23-24
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-2115 PMID: 1748220 DOI: 10.1016/0028-2243(91)90312-9Document Number: 317557
The causes of low birth weight and consequent high rates of perinatal mortality at Alexandra University and State Hospital, Athens, Greece, were analyzed from records of 1982-1984. For comparison, the perinatal mortality rates for infants weighing 2001-2500 g were 6.89% at Alexandra Hospital, 3.10% for University of Illinois Perinatal Network Hospitals, and 2.89% for the Medical Center Hospital of San Antonio, Texas. Perinatal mortality rates were also much higher for infants weighing 1501-2000 g and 1001-1500 g at Alexandra Hospital. Perinatal mortality for infants of 500-1000 g were similar for these 3 hospital systems. The reasons for high mortality are low socioeconomic status of the population served, primarily indigent nationals, gypsies and international refugees; lack of prenatal care; lack of intensive care provided for infants 25-26 weeks gestation; low cesarean section rate for women with low birth weight fetuses; high rate of septicemia; lack of monitoring equipment for the neonatal intensive care unit; low staff ratio in the unit; lack of facilities to care for neonates with surgical or cardiovascular complications.