Los límites de la prematuridad: recién nacidos con un peso al nacer inferior o igual a 650 g

Summary Objective: To study the clinical, maternal, and neonatal characteristics of newborns with a birthweight of ≤?650 g. Material and methods: Of a total of 25,977 deliveries, 77 (0.29%) had a birthweight of ≤?650 g. We excluded 22 (28.6%), who had died in utero . A study was made of 42 newborns, grouped according to weight. Group I: ≤?550 g 32 infants (58.2%) and group II: > 550 g ≤?650 g, 23 infants (41.8%). Maternal and neonatal characteristics are analysed according to groups, and morbimortality is highlighted. Results: The percentage of vaginal deliveries in group I was higher and the percentage of patients having antepartum tocolysis was much lower (p Conclusions: The differences found support the therapeutical and ethical difficulties found in this type of patients, who are at the outer limits of viability. However, the knowledge that we have of this type of patient is the greatest weapon that we have to improve their life conditions. The challenge becomes greater, but the cost/benefit of our results still needs to be defined