Chan, K., Ohlsson, A., Synnes, A., Lee, D. S., Chien, L. Y., Lee, S. K., & Canadian Neonatal Network (2001). Survival, morbidity, and resource use of infants of 25 weeks' gestational age or less. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 185(1), 220-226. https://doi.org/10.1067/mob.2001.115280
Chan K, Ohlsson A, Synnes A, Lee DS, Chien LY, Lee SK; Canadian Neonatal Network. Survival, morbidity, and resource use of infants of 25 weeks' gestational age or less. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001;185(1):220-226. doi:10.1067/mob.2001.115280
Chan, Kevin, et al. "Survival, morbidity, and resource use of infants of 25 weeks' gestational age or less." American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, vol. 185, no. 1, 2001, pp. 220-226.
The objective of this study was to examine survival, morbidity, and resource use in a large cohort of extremely preterm infants.
Study Design
We examined all (n = 754) neonatal intensive care unit admissions born at < or =25 weeks' gestation and inborn deliveries (n = 949) between 22 and 25 weeks' gestation at 17 Canadian neonatal intensive care units.
Results
The overall survival rate was 63%, with a range from 14% at 22 weeks' gestation to 76% at 25 weeks' gestation. There was a high incidence of chronic lung disease (33%-51%), > or =grade 3 intraventricular hemorrhage (0%-16%), necrotizing enterocolitis (0%-14%), > or =stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity (27%-55%), nosocomial infection (25%-39%), and multiple gestation (18%-46%). Extremely preterm infants comprise 4% of neonatal intensive care unit admissions but account for 22% of deaths, 20%-60% of major morbidities, 11% of patient days, and 10%-35% of major procedures. Outborn infants had a higher incidence of chronic lung disease, severe retinopathy of prematurity, and intraventricular hemorrhage.
Conclusion
Extremely preterm infants have a high incidence of mortality and morbidity and consume disproportionate amounts of neonatal intensive care unit resources.
