| Abstrakt: |
INTEREST is currently maintained at a high level in the concerted effort to reduce the frequency of premature births and to increase the survival rates of such infants once the problem is imminent. Much of the birth and fatality data presently available were derived from studies of hospital records, while the true incidence of prematurity in the general population remains unknown. Bain, Hubbard, and Pennell1 point out that not only do we lack knowledge of how many babies are born prematurely, but also we do not have good information on how many of those born prematurely live. Reports based on unreliable criteria involving the gestation period defend a figure in the neighborhood of 5% of all births. In the more reliable studies, based on a birth weight of 2,500 gm. (5½ lb.) or less, the incidence is reported between 7 and 11%.2 The recent practice of most states, however, of |
