EVOLUTION OF THE MORTALITY-RATE IN PREMATURE-INFANTS FROM 32 WEEKS AND BELOW IN FORT-DE-FRANCE

The mortality rate of prematures of gestational age less-than-or-equal-to 32 weeks during hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit of the University Hospital in Fort-de-France (Martinique, French Caribbeans) decreased from 69% in 1980 to 32% in 1987-1988 and to 20% in 1989. The mortality of small for gestational age children during the cumulated years 1987-1988-1989 was twice that of babies with normal birth weight. The various factors responsible for these facts were reviewed: caesarean section rates increased from 15% in 1980 to 42% in 1989, percentage of children submitted to assisted ventilation increased from 35% in 1980 to 78% in 1989 and mortality rate related to hyaline membrane disease decreased from 100% in 1980 to 33% in 1989. The comparison with a survey performed in 1985 in the Paris area showed no significant difference with the mortality rate of premature infants of gestational age greater-than-or-equal-to 27 weeks born in the University Hospital in Fort-de-France. Therefore an important effort remains necessary concerning mostly children under 27 weeks of gestational age.