Clinical observations in newborn premature infants.

Prematurity is one of the leading causes of death in the neonatal period. Most deaths in premature infants occur during the first two to three days of life (Holmdahl, 1952). This study was undertaken in an attempt to correlate clinical impressions as to the vitality and prognosis of infants admitted to a premature department with additional clinical data during the first four days of life. We were particularly interested in regurgitation which often hinders early establishment of satisfactory nutrition and is the chief reason for starvation of newborn premature infants (Smith, 1957). Some observations of physiological interest were also made, chiefly with respect to body temperature and weight loss.