Neonatal survival rates based on estimated fetal weights in extremely premature infants

With the increasing survival rates of the extremely premature infants, counseling patients as to the potential outcome of the pregnancy is difficult. Traditional methods of basing survival rates on gestational age and actual birthweights have limitations. This study compares survival rates based on ultrasonically estimated fetal weights to those of actual birthweights and demonstrates an excellent correlation at this institution. It is suggested that individual institutions should construct their own neonatal survival rates based on estimated fetal weights for the extremely premature fetus to counsel better patients at risk for early delivery.