Hundreds of "follow-up studies" have been published since the early days of neonatal intensive care, and each represents a considerable cost in terms of time and resources. It is unfortunate that only a mere handful of these are based on geographically defined populations since [meaningful] comparisons . . . can only be made through such studies. To date these show that there has been no real change in the level of morbidity among low birthweight survivors. The "important reduction in morbidity," which we would all welcome, is yet to be demonstrated.