Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2025
Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
[Influence of Fetomaternal Risk Factors on Mortality and Morbidity in Extremely Preterm Infants]
Paula Winkler1, Eva Cloppenburg2, Axel Heep2
1Universitätsklinik für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, Klinikum Oldenburg AoR, Oldenburg, Germany.
Insights
For extremely preterm infants born between 23 and 24 weeks, survival rates were similar across gestational age groups. However, increased maternal and fetal risk factors significantly correlated with higher mortality in preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal medicine
- Neonatology
- Maternal-fetal medicine
Background:
- Managing pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery is complex.
- Assessing maternal and fetal risk factors is crucial for counseling and treatment at the threshold of viability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare mortality and morbidity in preterm infants born between 23 and 24 weeks.
- To analyze the prognostic relevance of maternal and fetal risk factors on survival.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study of preterm infants born between 23 0/7 and 24 6/7 weeks gestation (2017-2020).
- Infants were divided into two groups based on gestational age: 23 0/7-23 6/7 weeks and 24 0/7-24 6/7 weeks.
- Thirteen risk factors were analyzed for their impact on survival and morbidity.
Main Results:
- 48 preterm infants were included; 9 received palliative care and were excluded.
- No significant difference in survival rates between the two gestational age groups (66.7% vs. 74.1%).
- Increased number of risk factors significantly correlated with higher mortality (p=0.004), particularly hypertensive disorders and preterm premature rupture of membranes. Morbidity showed no significant difference between groups.
Conclusions:
- Study findings on mortality align with national data.
- Observed morbidity patterns were documented in the study population.
- Incorporating risk factors enhances the precision of predicting preterm infant survival probability.
Introduction:
The management of pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery poses a challenge to the interdisciplinary team. At the edge of viability, it is crucial to take into consideration maternal and fetal risk factors when determining individual counseling and therapeutic approaches.
Methods:
At a level 4 perinatal center, all preterm infants (PI) born in the years 2017 to 2020 who had a gestational age between 230/7 and 246/7 weeks and were cared for with a curative therapeutic approach were enrolled in a retrospective observational study. Divided into two groups (230/7-236/7 and 240/7-246/7 weeks of gestation), the PI were compared in terms of mortality and morbidity based on maternal and fetal risk factors. Thirteen risk factors and their prognostic relevance for survival were analyzed.
Results:
41 mothers with 48 PI were included. 9 neonates received primary palliative treatment and were excluded from the analyses. The survival rates between the two groups (n=21, n=27) showed no significant difference (66.7% versus 74.1%, p=0.750). A significantly higher mortality was observed in PI with an increased number of risk factors (p=0.004), the most severe of which were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and preterm premature rupture of membranes. Data regarding morbidity showed no significant difference.
Conclusion:
Data regarding mortality correlate with national findings. Observed morbidity in the study population was recorded. The prediction of probability of survival is more precise when risk factors are taken into consideration.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:07Teratogenicity
01:14Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...