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Thirteen-year mortality and morbidity in preterm infants in Switzerland

Fei Chen1, Nadia M Bajwa2, Peter C Rimensberger3

  • 1Division of Neonatology and Paediatric Intensive Care, Children's University Hospital of Geneva and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland Department of Child Health-Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|April 10, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Survival rates for very preterm infants in Switzerland improved from 2000-2012, with decreased delivery room and neonatal mortality. However, major complications like bronchopulmonary dysplasia remained a challenge.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Critical Care
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Very preterm infants (gestational age <32 weeks) face significant mortality and morbidity risks.
  • Population-based data on outcomes for this vulnerable group are crucial for improving care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze trends in mortality and major morbidities for very preterm infants in Switzerland over a 13-year period.
  • To stratify outcomes by gestational age and identify changes over time.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, observational study of 8899 preterm infants (GA <32 weeks) in Switzerland (2000-2012).
  • Data collected through the Swiss Neonatal Network, covering all level III NICUs.
  • Assessed trends in mortality, survival free of major complications, and morbidities including BPD, IVH 3-4, NEC, and cPVL.

Main Results:

  • Overall survival rate was 84.4%, with significant reductions in overall mortality (18.4% to 13.8%) and NICU mortality (12.6% to 8.2%).
  • Incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH 3-4) decreased, but bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and cystic periventricular leukomalacia (cPVL) remained stable.
  • Survival free of major complications improved from 66.7% to 72.4%.

Conclusions:

  • Survival rates for very preterm infants have improved, driven by reduced mortality, particularly in extremely preterm infants.
  • While severe IVH rates declined, persistent challenges exist with BPD, NEC, and cPVL, necessitating continued research and improved interventions.
Abstract

Keywords:
EpidemiologyMortalityNeonatologyPathologyQualitative research

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