RESUMO
The mortality rate of prematures of gestational age less than or equal to 32 weeks during hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit of the University Hospital in Fort-de-France (Martinique, French Caribbeans) decreased from 69% in 1980 to 32% in 1987-1988 and to 20% in 1989. The mortality of small for gestational age children during the cumulated years 1987-1988-1989 was twice that of babies with normal birth weight. The various factors responsible for these facts were reviewed: caesarean section rates increased from 15% in 1980 to 42% in 1989, percentage of children submitted to assisted ventilation increased from 35% in 1980 to 78% in 1989 and mortality rate related to hyaline membrane disease decreased from 100% in 1980 to 33% in 1989. The comparison with a survey performed in 1985 in the Paris area showed no significant difference with the mortality rate of premature infants of gestational age greater than or equal to 27 weeks born in the University Hospital in Fort-de-France. Therefore an important effort remains necessary concerning mostly children under 27 weeks of gestational age.