Journal of paediatrics and child health
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J Paediatr Child Health · Jun 1999
Comparative StudyChanging mortality and causes of death in infants 23-27 weeks' gestational age.
To contrast the mortality rates and changes in the causes of death of very preterm infants (23-27 weeks), before and after the introduction of exogenous surfactant in 1991, and to identify any preventable causes of death remaining in the 1990s. ⋯ As the mortality rate has fallen over time, respiratory causes of death have diminished, but septic causes of death have increased. Further advances in the use of exogenous surfactant and respiratory support may reduce respiratory deaths. Effective strategies to reduce nosocomial infections are urgently required.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Jun 1999
Comparative StudyLaparotomy for necrotizing enterocolitis: intensive care nursery compared with operating theatre.
To determine whether neonates requiring laparotomy for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) are more stable perioperatively and have less disruption of physiological parameters if surgery is performed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) compared with the operating theatre (OR). ⋯ The use of the neonatal intensive care nursery for surgery on neonates weighing less than 1500 g with severe NEC can be justified and such use should be encouraged. In contrast, secondary transport of neonates weighing less than 1500 g to the OR for laparotomy is associated with significant deterioration in a number of physiological parameters, which may impact on morbidity.