Effects of antenatal corticosteroid administration on mortality and long-term morbidity in early preterm, growth-restricted infants.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of antenatal corticosteroids on mortality, morbidity, and disability or handicap rate in early preterm, growth-restricted infants.

Methods: This case-control study in two tertiary care centers included all live-born singleton infants with growth-restriction due to placental insufficiency, who were delivered by cesarean because of cardiotocographic signs of fetal distress before the beginning of labor at a gestational age of 26-32 weeks during the years 1984-1991. Infants who had been treated antenatally with corticosteroids more than 24 hours and less than 7 days before birth were matched by birth weight, sex, and year of birth with infants whose mothers had been admitted more than 24 hours before delivery but were not treated antenatally with steroids.

Severe neonatal group A streptococcal disease.

Unlabelled: Since the mid-1980s, an increase in incidence of invasive disease caused by group A streptococci has been noted amongst adults and children; however, neonatal disease is still rare. Between 1979 and 1998, seven neonates with severe group A streptococcal disease were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. The clinical presentation, treatment and outcome are described.

School performance and behaviour in extremely preterm growth-retarded infants.

Objective: To describe school performance and behaviour of extremely preterm, growth-retarded infants.

Design: Cohort study at two tertiary care centres. Included were all surviving, singleton infants (N= 127) with fetal growth retardation due to placental insufficiency.

Vaginal delivery compared with caesarean section in early preterm breech delivery: a comparison of long term outcome.

Objective: To determine the optimum mode of delivery of the early preterm fetus in breech presentation.

Design: Retrospective comparison of two cohorts of preterm breech fetus.

Setting: Two tertiary care centres: at one centre the preferred management for preterm breech presentation was vaginal delivery; at the other centre, the preferred method was caesarean section.

Influence of obstetric management on outcome of extremely preterm growth retarded infants.

Aim: To describe the long term outcome of extremely preterm growth retarded infants in relation to obstetric management and various perinatal events.

Methods: A cohort study was undertaken in two tertiary care centres with different obstetric management. All infants with fetal growth retardation due to placental insufficiency and resulting in fetal distress at 26 to 32 weeks of gestation, were included for the years 1984-89.