title: Survival and major neonatal complications in infants born between 22 0/7 and 24 6/7 weeks of gestation (1999-2003).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was undertaken to compare survival and morbidity until discharge in infants born after 22-23 versus 24 weeks' gestational age (GA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort study of all infants 25 weeks or less, born in 3 tertiary perinatal centers (1999-2003).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of a total of 336 infants, 133 (40%) died before or immediately after birth without the provision of life support, 203 (60%) received active neonatal treatment. Infants with life support (n = 82 at 22 to 23 weeks, n = 121 at 24 weeks) differed with respect to antenatal steroid prophylaxis (44% vs 62%) and cesarean section rate (51% vs 71%). Survival was 67% compared with 82% (P = .016). The incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage III or greater or periventricular leukomalacia (15/15%), severe retinopathy of prematurity (18/15%), and chronic lung disease (40/47%) was similar in both GA groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The provision of life support for extremely preterm infants increases their chance of survival without more neonatal morbidity.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Divisison of Neonatology, Klinikum Grosshadern, University of Munich, Munich, Germany. susanne.herber-jonat@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Herber-Jonat
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Schulze
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Kribs
authors: Bernhard
authors: B
authors: Roth
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Lindner
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Pohlandt