Outcomes from extremely preterm births
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Jane Lawson; Tamanna Williams
- Source
- Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Medicine. 29:364-365
- Subject
- medicine.medical_specialty
Reproductive Medicine
business.industry
Obstetrics
In utero
Extremely preterm
Long term morbidity
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Gestation
Medicine
business
- Language
- ISSN
- 1751-7214
Extremely preterm birth is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Survival has improved in recent years with 29% of babies admitted for neonatal care at 23 weeks' gestation now surviving to 3 years, increasing to 78% at 26 weeks' gestation. Neurodevelopmental impairment and physical problems do however cause short and long term morbidity in survivors. Risk-lowering strategies which substantially improve outcomes include in utero transfer to a level three centre, antenatal provision of magnesium sulphate and antenatal provision of steroids. A multidisciplinary approach to managing delivery and clear communication between the obstetric and neonatal teams are essential to optimise delivery conditions.