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Survival and causes of death in extremely preterm infants in the Netherlands

  • Pauline Van Beek
  • , Floris Groenendaal
  • , Lisa Broeders
  • , Peter H. Dijk
  • , Koen P. Dijkman
  • , Frank A.M. Van Den Dungen
  • , Arno F.J. Van Heijst
  • , Jacqueline L. Van Hillegersberg
  • , René F. Kornelisse
  • , Wes Onland
  • , Frank A.B.A. Schuerman
  • , Elke Van Westering-Kroon
  • , Ruben S.G.M. Witlox
  • , Peter Andriessen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In the Netherlands, the threshold for offering active treatment for spontaneous birth was lowered from 25 +0 to 24 +0 weeks' gestation in 2010. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of guideline implementation on survival and causes and timing of death in the years following implementation.

DESIGN: National cohort study, using data from the Netherlands Perinatal Registry.

PATIENTS: The study population included all 3312 stillborn and live born infants with a gestational age (GA) between 24 0/7 and 26 6/7 weeks born between January 2011 and December 2017. Infants with the same GA born between January 2007 and December 2009 (N=1400) were used as the reference group.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival to discharge, as well as cause and timing of death.

RESULTS: After guideline implementation, there was a significant increase in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission rate for live born infants born at 24 weeks' GA (27%-69%, p<0.001), resulting in increased survival to discharge in 24-week live born infants (13%-34%, p<0.001). Top three causes of in-hospital mortality were necrotising enterocolitis (28%), respiratory distress syndrome (19%) and intraventricular haemorrhage (17%). A significant decrease in cause of death either complicated or caused by respiratory insufficiency was seen over time (34% in 2011-2014 to 23% in 2015-2017, p=0.006).

CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the 2010 guideline resulted as expected in increased NICU admissions rate and postnatal survival of infants born at 24 weeks' GA. In the years after implementation, a shift in cause of death was seen from respiratory insufficiency towards necrotising enterocolitis and sepsis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)F251-F257
Number of pages7
JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition
Volume106
Issue number3
Early online date6 Nov 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2021

Keywords

  • mortality
  • neonatology

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