Causes of Death in the Extremely Low Birth Weight Infant

Abstract

Infection of the amniotic fluid leading to pneumonia was the major cause of death in the extremely low birth weight infant. Accurate cause of death can not be reliably ascertained without an autopsy accompanied by examination of the placenta in the early deaths. Antibiotic treatment of the mother and infant may have reduced the deaths from infection. Early failure to respond to neonatal intensive care may well indicate presence of a congenital pneumonia.