Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
06:27

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates

Published on: December 31, 2015

Investigating the variations in survival rates for very preterm infants in 10 European regions: the MOSAIC birth

E S Draper1, J Zeitlin, A C Fenton

  • 1Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, 22-28, Princess Road West, Leicester LE1 6TP, UK. msn@leicester.ac.uk

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|September 23, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Survival rates for very preterm infants varied significantly across European regions, highlighting the need for standardized data collection. This study examines mortality and survival in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy and Perinatal Medicine
  • Public Health and Epidemiology
  • Pediatric Critical Care

Background:

  • Significant variations exist in the survival rates and mortality patterns of very preterm infants across different European regions.
  • Understanding these regional disparities is crucial for improving neonatal care outcomes and developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and quantify the variation in survival and mortality rates among very preterm infants across geographically defined European regions.
  • To analyze the timing of deaths in relation to gestational age and regional differences in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and survival.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective birth cohort study of very preterm infants (gestational age 22 to 31 weeks) across 10 European regions in 2003.
  • Data collection included all pregnancy outcomes, focusing on survival to discharge from hospital, and detailed analysis of mortality timing.
  • Gestational age groups were analyzed, with specific attention to infants born before 24 weeks and between 24-27 weeks.

Main Results:

  • Overall survival to discharge was 89.5%, with regional variations ranging from 74.8% to 93.2%.
  • Survival rates for infants less than 24 weeks' gestation were below 2%, and approximately 50% for those between 24-27 weeks.
  • Significant regional differences were observed in the timing of infant deaths and NICU admission rates, particularly for the most premature infants.

Conclusions:

  • Wide variations in survival rates and timing of death for very preterm infants necessitate standardized data collection methods for accurate international comparisons.
  • Proposes using 'infants alive at the onset of labor' as a standardized denominator for comparing mortality rates across different regions and gestational age bands.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Mapping Infant Immunity with Minimal Input: Integrative Single-Cell and Multiomic Profiling10:29

Mapping Infant Immunity with Minimal Input: Integrative Single-Cell and Multiomic Profiling

Published on: April 3, 2026

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting14:43

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Comparing the Survival Analysis of Two or More Groups01:20

Comparing the Survival Analysis of Two or More Groups

Survival analysis is a cornerstone of medical research, used to evaluate the time until an event of interest occurs, such as death, disease recurrence, or recovery. Unlike standard statistical methods, survival analysis is particularly adept at handling censored data—instances where the event has not occurred for some participants by the end of the study or remains unobserved. To address these unique challenges, specialized techniques like the Kaplan-Meier estimator, log-rank test, and Cox...
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks01:23

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
Bias in Epidemiological Studies01:29

Bias in Epidemiological Studies

Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...