Mortality rate of preterm neonates in two teaching hospitals in Teheran, Islamic Republic of Iran

In a retrospective study conducted in two teaching hospitals in Teheran, records of 573 preterm infants were reviewed. The birth weights ranged between 500 and 2500 grams, and the gestational ages between 24 and 36 weeks. This study indicated that the expected survival rate of neonates was greatly influenced by a gestational age of more than 32 weeks and a birth weight exceeding 1250 grams. The youngest surviving neonate was a female whose gestational age was 26-27 weeks and birth weight 1500 grams. The smallest surviving [in weight] was a female infant of 750 grams and a gestational age of 28-29 weeks. This study revealed that an increase in the age and weight of preterm neonates leads to a rapid decline in mortality rate