Morbility and mortality among 121 infants with birth weights less than 1.500 grams born during year 1982 were studied. Jaundice was present in 54,6% of the cases and was followed in incidence by metabolic problems (hypoglicemia, hypocalcemia, late metabolic acidosis) and respiratory distress syndrome. Forty seven infants survived (39%). There were no survivors when birth weight was less than 750 grams. Survival rates were respectively, 23,6%for infants weighting 751 to 1.000 grams: 40%between 1.001 and 1.250 grams and 63,3% between 1.250 and 1.500 grams. The principal causes of death were extreme prematurity, respiratory distress syndrome and intracraneal bleeding. This type of study is necessary in Neonatal Units to plan adecuate resources and to get the best possible results.

Neonatal polycythemia and erythropheresisNinety one newborn babies with polycythemia that went on exchange transfusion with plasma were studied retrospectively over a 30 months period: 57.1% were adequate for gestacional age newborn babies. Plethoric appearance, tremors and cyanosis were the most frequent findings. Small for gestational age, big for festational age and Down Syndrome were important associated facts in this group, nevertheless in 31.9% no related facts were present. Hypertension during pregnancy was the most frequent maternal disease in these patients. No complications were detected in 87.9%of the 91 newborn babies that went on exchange transfusions while 6-6 %had onphalitis, 2.2%sepsis, 2.2%necroti/,ing enterocolitis and 1.1 meningitis. (Key words: neonatal polycytemia, erythropheresis).La policitemia neonatal es potencialmente productora de complicaciones serias en el sistema nervioso central, corazon, pulmones, riflones e intestine, secundarias a alteraciones de la microcirculacion.El tratamiento de los recien nacidos con policitemia e hiperviscosidad es relativamente simple, pero controvertido en relacion al criterio de la seleccion de los casos segim el hematocrito y los sintomas. Existe consenso en que se puede realizar exanguineotransfusiones parciales para reemplazar la sangre por soluciones cristaloides o coloides. Se han usado soluciones salinas, de albuminas y plasma, siendo el recambio con

In order to evaluate eventual advantages a modified cow milk (Alprem^, a controlled prospective trial was done comparing two groups of newborn babies whose birthweights ranged between 1.200 and 1.700 g. Fifteen babies.in the study group were fed with Alprem and 12 babies in the control group were fed with a different formula (Nan©). Clinical, biochemical and anthiopometric parameters were determined serially in both groups. Tolerance to feedings, serum calcium, phosphorus, alcaline phosphatase and proteins showed no differences between both groups. There was no difference either in urinary density nor in the incidence of haemotytic signs. Weight gain was slightly higher in the study group (33.04 ± 4.85 g/day vs 27.4 ± 5.28 g/day) but this difference was not significant. Babies who received Alprem had significantly lower incidence of late metabolic acidosis: 9.1% vs. 45.1 % in the control group (p < 0.001), nevertheless acidotic babies in both groups had normal weight gains and their acidosis normalized without any treatment nor change in their formula. Alprem appears to be a good alternative to feed low birthweight babies when there in no chance to give breastmilk. (Key words: Cow milk, modified, low birthweight, neonates, newborn infants).Los recien nacidos de bajo peso, tanto los que nacen con un peso adecuado como aquellos que tienen un peso bajo para su edad gestacional, determinan un desafio nutricional cuyo ultimo objetivo es lograr un desarrollo normal en el corto y en el largo plazo. La leche materna aparece como el alimento ideal, por lo cuai se ban desarrollado variados sistemas para su recoleccion tanto en bancos de leche como en lactarios, aun cuando se discute si cumple con todas las exigencias nutricionales y mincrales para el recien nacido de bajo peso (RNBP) 1 -2 -3 . La leche materna debe ser sustituida en numerosos casos y entre las alternativas nutricionales se ha ensayado las mas diversas tecnicas y formulas para" lograr cubrir los requerimientos nutritives. Se pretende emplear una formula homogenea en su composicion quimica, que permita una buena tolerancia digestiva, evite la esteatorrea secundaria y logre en los RNBP una curva pondoestatural semej ante al ritmo de crecimiento intrauterino.4,5,6.7

The clinical usefulness of a Transcutaneous Bilirubinometer was studied in a group of 188 newborns from the Salvador's Hospital. A total of 357 measurements were performed and the results were compared with the serum bilirubin concentrations obtained simultaneously through a Moshida Bilirubinometer. According to clinical chacateristics and treatment schedules, the newborns weic divided in 5 different groups. The results showed a significant correlation between both methods in all of them, but in only 2 groups they were sufficiently high (r .79 and .91). At the present time routine clinical use'of the transcutaneous bilirubinomctcr is not advisable according to this study. de Pediatn'a Vol. 54 N° 2