[Use of neonatal database at a central hospital]. / Bruk av neonatal database ved et sentralsykehus.

In 1994-96 all newborns (n = 1,044) at the neonatal intensive care unit, Vest-Agder Central Hospital were registered in a specially designed database. Annual reports on demographic data, treatment and complications were prepared. 56 patients (5.4%) had birth weight below 1,500 g. Eight newborns (0.8%) died. 13 newborns (1.2%) had cerebral hemorrhage grade 3-4 or periventricular leucomalacia. 156 children (14.9%) were treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure or ventilator. Registration in a database is valuable in evaluation of treatment and in neonatal quality insurance. Collaboration between all neonatal intensive care units in Norway regarding registration of such data is recommended.