Impact of neonatal intensive care on neonatal mortality in Chile

Up to the year 1975, neonatal care in our unit consisted of: pediatricians and nurses without specialization in neonatology; equipment basically limited to incubators; and treatment of premature infants and neonates with respiratory problems reduced to: (1) temperature control, (2) prevention of infection, (3) careful feeding and fluid administration, (4) oxygen therapy based on clinical appearance of cyanosis, and (5) correction of acidosis with NaHCO3. See table in the PDF file In 1976, a plan for introducing intensive care was begun.