Mortality and morbidity of neonates born at <26 weeks of gestation (1998-2003). A population-based study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe mortality and morbidity of neonates born at <26 weeks' gestation in a contemporary population-based cohort.


METHODS
We analyzed data of neonates born at <26 weeks between 1998 and 2003 in the Federal State of Hesse, Germany. Survival was calculated at 28 days and at discharge from hospital.


RESULTS
Out of a total of 800 births, 572 infants were liveborn. Among those admitted for neonatal intensive care, 62.3% survived until day 28. Among the neonates followed until death or discharge, 59.6% were discharged home. Logistic regression analyses showed the following variables to be associated with an increased risk of death: Twins (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.7; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.34-10.26), multiple birth >or=3 (OR 8.14; CI 1.23-53.86), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) >or=grade III (OR 4.79; CI 1.89-12.14), clinical risk index for babies score >15 (OR 2.9; CI 1.09-7.76), and a gestational age <or=23 weeks (OR 5.34; CI 1.24-22.98). Among infants discharged home, bronchopulmonary dysplasia was diagnosed in 52.2%, IVH >or=grade III and/or periventricular leukomalacia in 15%, and severe retinopathy of prematurity in 29.8%.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides outcome data derived from a contemporary population-based cohort. Mortality and complication rates remain high.
Landmann
Eva
E
Pediatric Center, Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Giessen, Germany. Eva.Landmann@paediat.med.uni-giessen.de
Misselwitz
Björn
B
Steiss
Jens O
JO
Gortner
Ludwig
L
D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000453:epidemiology; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis