• J P Ryding and G O Greisen.
• Neonatalafdeling GN 5024, Rigshospitalet, København.
• Ugeskr. Laeg. 1993 Jan 4; 155 (1): 12-6.

AbstractSince 1983, the gestational age (GA in completed weeks), use of mechanical ventilation, duration of hospitalization and the diagnosis-related group were registered routinely for all infants admitted to the Neonatal Department, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen. The data were analysed concerning the 6,636 infants treated during the seven-year period until the end of 1991. The annual number of admissions decreased during the period (p < 0.001) whereas the number of extremely preterm infants (GA < 28 weeks) increased from 30 to 45 annually (p < 0.05). The total mortality remained constant at about 7% of all admissions but decreased significantly for the extremely preterm infants. The use of mechanical ventilation was almost halved during the period: from 235 to 146 annually. Even where the extremely preterm infants were concerned, the use of mechanical ventilation decreased from 77% to 51% (p < 0.05). The gestational age specific duration of hospitalization for the surviving infants remained constant. The number of infants with surgical anomalies or congenital heart disease increased among the infants born at term. The cost of treatment increased by 40% in fixed prices to DDK 4,000 per day (approximately 333 pounds). The authors conclude that the introduction of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has permitted treatment of moderately preterm infants in county hospitals and has also resulted in avoidance of mechanical ventilation in extremely preterm infants without preventing improved survival. Although the patients have become more selected, the duration of hospitalization remains unchanged.

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