[Regionalisation of preterm births in county districts? Yes we can!].
BACKGROUND
In preterm labour prenatal transfer of the pregnant woman to perinatal centres or subspecialty hospitals is thought to improve outcome of very low birth weight infants (VLBW). Can preterm labour diagnosed early enough?


METHODS
Records of the neonatal referral centre at the Ulm University Hospital (1974-2003) and of the regional neonatal working group (1986-2003).


RESULTS
The rate of inborn VLBW infants increased from 40 to 95-100%.


CONCLUSIONS
It was possible to diagnose preterm labour early enough for prenatal transfer.


CONCLUSIONS
On the strength of past experience it may be assumed that the obstetrician's or institution's willingness to transfer mothers before delivery was the critical factor of the nearly complete regionalization.
Pohlandt
F
F
Sektion Neonatologie und Pädiatrische Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin Ulm. frank.pohlandt@uni-ulm.de
Artlich
A
A
Freihorst
A
A
Radlow
U
U
Schädel
G
G
Schneider
A
A
Wölfel
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006766:Hospitals, County / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012041:Regional Medical Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult