Perinatal care provided for babies born at 23 and 24 weeks of gestation

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Perinatal Care
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Significant advancements in neonatal care have improved survival rates for infants born at 23-24 weeks gestation.
• A proactive approach to resuscitation and comprehensive care is increasingly adopted for these peri-viable gestations.
• Optimizing outcomes for extremely preterm infants requires integrated antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the quality and components of perinatal care provided to mothers and infants born at 23 and 24 weeks gestation.
• To evaluate the implementation of a proactive care approach in a tertiary maternity hospital setting.
• To identify key elements of care that contribute to improved outcomes for extremely preterm neonates.

Main Methods:

• Observational study design.
• Retrospective review of perinatal care data for mothers and neonates born between 23 and 24 weeks gestation.
• Data collected over a two-year period at a single tertiary maternity hospital in New Zealand.

Main Results:

• Analysis of antenatal counseling, intrapartum interventions, and postnatal management strategies.
• Evaluation of the delivery of care packages aimed at optimizing outcomes for extremely preterm infants.
• Assessment of the care provided within a specific tertiary care setting.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights the importance of a coordinated and proactive approach to perinatal care for extremely preterm infants.
• Findings provide insights into the current practices and potential areas for improvement in managing pregnancies at 23-24 weeks gestation.
• Effective perinatal care for this vulnerable population involves a multidisciplinary approach encompassing the entire continuum of care.