[Very preterm birth less than 33 weeks' gestation: how setting-up of a perinatal network does influence the activity of the neonatal tertiary care unit? The experience of the Poitou-Charentes region, France].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of regional perinatal network setting on very preterm neonates (gestational age<33 weeks) referral and activity of regional level 3 NCIU, and short-term outcome of infants cared for.


METHODS
Comparison of data from medical records of hospital days and hospital outcome of very preterm neonates born before and after the setting-up of regional perinatal network (2002-2005).


RESULTS
The setting-up of the Poitou-Charentes perinatal network has led to a 45% rise in number of very preterm neonates admitted to the level 3 neonatal care (114 in 2002, 166 in 2005), number of hospitalisation days has also increased by 31% in neonatology unit (2181 days in 2002, 2864 days in 2005) but remained stable in intensive care unit. A transient rise in neonatal mortality was observed, although the incidence of severe ultrasonographic cerebral abnormalities and that of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were lowered.


CONCLUSIONS
Setting-up of perinatal network in Poitou-Charentes (France) has led to improved access to level 3 neonatal care, with rise in very preterm neonates survival and low incidence of short-term sequelae.
Burguet
A
A
Service de pédiatrie, CHU de Poitiers, 86021 Poitiers cedex, France; Réseau périnatal Poitou-Charentes, Futuropole, BP 50044, 86361 Chasseneuil du Poitou cedex, France. burguet@yahoo.com
Di Maio
M
M
Besnier-Di Maio
S
S
Kayemba-Kay's
S
S
Nassimi
A
A
Bouthet
M-F
MF
Pierre
F
F
Boisselier
P
P
D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005865:Gestational Age; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009359:Neonatology / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D018743:Perinatal Care; D047928:Premature Birth