The short-term outcome of singleton infants delivered before 28 weeks' gestation

The short-term outcome of 271 singleton infants born at Westmead Hospital between 20 and 28 weeks' gestation, during a 5-year period are reported. The earliest gestation at which there was a survivor was 23 weeks. Survival rates from 23-23+6 weeks to 27-27+6 weeks, excluding congenital abnormalities, were 8.3% to 77.5% respectively. Overall 21.9% of deaths occurred in the delivery suite, 63.4% in the neonatal period, 3.7% in the postneonatal period in hospital and a further 11% after discharge from hospital. Of survivors at 12 months, 18.8% were judged to have a major impairment.