The Programme for Premature Infants in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Principles of Treatment and the Results Obtained

Abstract

Summary Since the commencement of the year 1948, distinctly improved results have been achieved in the care of the premature infants in Gothenburg. An account is given of some new principles of ‘treatment. The value of oxygen administration, particularly gastrointestinal administration, and the theoretical (Table 1) and practical advantages of human colostrum as a nourishing medium for the premature infants are stressed. In order to judge the results of care, the mortality in three other series of premature infants is compared with the author's own series (Table 2). An analysis of the mortality in the different weight groups shows that a very favourable figure was reached in the Gothenburg series in the weight group 1510–2000 g. For the weight groups 1010–1500 and 2010–2500 g, the mortality was lowest in the series from Denver. From the distribution of the deaths with a considerable peak immediately after birth (Fig. 1) and from the nature of the causes of death it appears that disturbances of nutrition and infections were seldom the cause of death. A more substantial reduction of the mortality for premature infants in Gothenburg is only possible by reducing the mortality in the first 48 hours. An intensified cooperation between pediatricians and obstetricians is necessary.