Neonatal Outcome of Infants Delivered at 26–28 Weeks of Gestation

Abstract

The delivery results of 42 infants born to 40 mothers at the gestational age of 26–28 weeks during a period of 5 years were analyzed. The study was evaluated in two periods of time: in the first period out of 15 infants born only 5 (33.3%) survived, while in the second period 21 (77.7%) out of 27 infants survived (p < 0.01). 38 infants were transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit for premature infants. Only 41 % of the infants transferred in the first period survived, as compared to 80.7% of those transferred during the second period (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the mean birth weight at each gestational age between the survivors and those who subsequently died in both periods of the study. In the study groups, cesarean section rate rose from 13.3% in the first period to 44% in the second. Mode of delivery, regardless of the presenting part, did not seem to influence neonatal survival. Obstetrical management, including the performance of operative delivery for fetal indications and active neonatal resuscitation, seems to be reasonable for infants at the gestational age of 26 weeks or more.

Release of Superoxide Dismutase Activity From Human Umbilical Veins by Heparin

“…Advances in neonatal resuscitation and postnatal care have resulted in improved survival rates for premature babies. 12,13 This progress has been mostly due to surfactant and improved techniques of ventilation of premature lungs. Although these measures are lifesaving, there is considerable evidence that hyperoxia leads to multiple complications such as retinopathy of prematurity, intraventricular hemorrhage, and chronic lung disease.…”