Abstract
In order to assess the effect of place of birth on the survival of the VLBW infant the population of an entire county was studied. All premature infants born during the 1977-79 calendar years and whose birth weights were between 500 and 1250 gms. were included. These babies were delivered at either the Ohio State Regional Perinatal Center(OSU-RPC)or the maternity services of the five general hospitals located in the county. Labor and delivery room records and data from the Dept.of Vital Statistics were reviewed and compared. Mortality rates were studied in relation to place of birth and source of ultimate neonatal care (neonatal transport).
Fifty-six percent of VLBW infants born at the community level were transported to a tertiary care facility.Mortality rate for those transported was 51% and for those kept at the place of birth was 77% (p<0.01). VLBW prematures born at community hospitals would be expected to have lower mortality if referred to a level III center. Transport of the mother to a perinatal center improves survival for the VLBW infant.
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Cordero, L., Backes, C. & Zuspan, F. 1280 INFLUENCE OF PLACE OF BIRTH ON THE SURVIVAL OF THE VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT (VLBW) INFANT. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 656 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01309
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01309