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Published on: November 20, 2015
[Life expectancy of extremely preterm infants]
Gabriella Vida1, Ilona Sárkány, Simone Funke
1Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Orvos- és Egészségtudományi Koordinációs Központ, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, Pécs, Szülészeti és Nogyógyászati Klinika, Neonatalis Intenzív Centrum. gabriella.vada@aok.pte.hu
Insights
Optimal care for extremely preterm infants (gestational age 24-28 weeks) requires specialized neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Early screening for complications significantly improves outcomes for these vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Perinatology
- Public Health
Context:
- Study conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pécs, between 2000-2004.
- Analyzed 7499 births, with 20% being preterm deliveries.
- Focused on extremely preterm infants (gestational age ≤28 weeks).
Purpose:
- To assess the incidence of extremely preterm births and associated handicaps.
- To evaluate survival rates based on gestational age.
- To highlight the importance of early screening for prematurity complications.
Summary:
- Extremely preterm infants (GA 24-28 weeks) require NICU care.
- Incidence of extremely preterm births was 18% (272/1499), with 3.2% profoundly preterm (GA <25 weeks).
- Handicap rate among extremely preterm infants was 15.3%, with higher rates in profoundly preterm infants. Survival increases with gestational age, and over 50% of infants born at 26 weeks were asymptomatic.
Impact:
- Emphasizes the need for specialized NICU care for extremely preterm infants.
- Highlights the prognostic value of screening for hearing loss, visual problems, and intracranial bleeding.
- Informs strategies for early detection and management of prematurity complications to improve long-term outcomes.
Abstract:
Extremely preterm infants [gestational age (GA) between 24-28 weeks] should be delivered optimally in an institute where neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is available and their short- and long-term care is ensured. At the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7499 infants were born between 1st of January, 2000 and 31st of December, 2004. During this period the rate of preterm deliveries was 20% (1499/7499). Among preterm infants the incidence of extremely preterm babies (GA 28 weeks or less) was 18% (272/1499), the rate of profoundly preterm infants (GA less than 25 weeks) was 3.2% (48/1499). Advancing with gestational age the survival rate is increasing. At the department, the rate of handicapped infants among extremely premature babies was 15.3%. The majority of the handicapped infants were profoundly preterm, meanwhile, more than 50% of infants born at the 26 gestational weeks were free of symptoms influencing social activities. It is important to stress the prognostic value of the screening for hearing loss (otoacoustic emission), visual problems, and intracranial bleeding for the early detection and cure of the possible complications of prematurity.
