Outborn status with a medical neonatal transport service and survival without disability at two years. A population-based cohort survey of newborns of less than 33 weeks of gestation

Planned hospital birth compared with planned home birth for pregnant women at low risk of complications

BACKGROUND

Observational studies of increasingly better quality and in different settings suggest that planned hospital birth in many places does not reduce mortality and morbidity but increases the frequency of interventions and complications. Euro-Peristat (part of the European Union's Health Monitoring Programme) has raised concerns about iatrogenic effects of obstetric interventions, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concern that the increasing medicalisation of childbirth tends to undermine women's own capability to give birth and negatively impacts their childbirth experience. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 1998, and previously updated in 2012.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effects of planned hospital birth with planned home birth attended by a midwife or others with midwifery skills and backed up by a modern hospital system in case a transfer to hospital should turn out to be necessary. The primary focus is on women with an uncomplicated pregnancy and low risk of medical intervention during birth.  SEARCH METHODS: For this update, we searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register (which includes trials from CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, WHO ICTRP, and conference proceedings), ClinicalTrials.gov (16 July 2021), and reference lists of retrieved studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing planned hospital birth with planned home birth in low-risk women as described in the objectives. Cluster-randomised trials, quasi-randomised trials, and trials published only as an abstract were also eligible.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data, and checked the data for accuracy. We contacted study authors for additional information. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach.  MAIN RESULTS: We included one trial involving 11 participants. This was a small feasibility study to show that well-informed women - contrary to common beliefs - were prepared to be randomised. This update did not identify any additional studies for inclusion, but excluded one study that had been awaiting assessment. The included study was at high risk of bias for three out of seven risk of bias domains. The trial did not report on five of the seven primary outcomes, and reported zero events for one primary outcome (caesarean section), and non-zero events for the remaining primary outcome (baby not breastfed). Maternal mortality, perinatal mortality (non-malformed), Apgar < 7 at 5 minutes, transfer to neonatal intensive care unit, and maternal satisfaction were not reported. The overall certainty of the evidence for the two reported primary outcomes was very low according to our GRADE assessment (downgraded two levels for high overall risk of bias (due to high risk of bias arising from lack of blinding, high risk of selective reporting and lack of ability to check for publication bias) and two levels for very serious imprecision (single study with few events)).   AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This review shows that for selected, low-risk pregnant women, the evidence from randomised trials to support that planned hospital birth reduces maternal or perinatal mortality, morbidity, or any other critical outcome is uncertain. As the quality of evidence in favour of home birth from observational studies seems to be steadily increasing, it might be just as important to prepare a regularly updated systematic review including observational studies as described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions as to attempt to set up new RCTs. As women and healthcare practitioners may be aware of evidence from observational studies, and as the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics and the International Confederation of Midwives collaboratively conclude that there is strong evidence that out-of-hospital birth supported by a registered midwife is safe, equipoise may no longer exist, and randomised trials may now thus be considered unethical or hardly feasible.

Presence of neonatal intensive care services at birth hospital and early intervention enrollment in infants ≤1500 g

Objectives To determine whether the receipt of therapeutic services of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW; ≤1500 g) neonates inadvertently delivered at community Level 2 and 3 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) compared with those born at a well-baby nursery (WBN; Level 1) differed. Methods This is a retrospective study of neonates who were born at Level 1 (WBN), 2, 3, and 4 NICUs and discharged from a Level 4 hospital (n = 529). All infants were evaluated at the Regional Neonatal Follow-up Program at 12 ± 1 months corrected gestational age (CA) and assessed for use of therapeutic services including: early intervention (EI), occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), speech therapy (ST), and special education (SE). Results Compared to infants born at community Level 2 and 3 NICU hospitals, those outborn at a community Level 1 WBN had significantly higher utilization of EI (90% vs. 62%) and PT (83% vs. 61%) at 12 months CA. This association persisted when controlling for covariates. Infants who required EI had significantly lower Bayley-III cognitive scores at 3 years of age. Conclusion VLBW infants outborn at WBN (Level 1) hospitals required more outpatient therapeutic services than those born at hospitals with NICU facilities. These results suggest that delivering at the appropriate community hospital level of care might be advantageous for long-term outcomes.

The impact of level of neonatal care provision on outcomes for preterm babies born between 27 and 31 weeks of gestation, or with a birth weight between 1000 and 1500 g: a review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

There is evidence that birth and care in a maternity service associated with a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is associated with improved survival in preterm babies born at <27 weeks of gestation. We conducted a systematic review to address whether similar gains manifested in babies born between 27+0 and 31+6 weeks (hereafter 27 and 31 weeks) of gestation, or in those with a birth weight between 1000 and 1500 g.

METHODS

We searched Embase, Medline and CINAHL databases for studies comparing outcomes for babies born between 27 and 31 weeks or between 1000 and 1500 g birth weight, based on designation of the neonatal unit where the baby was born or subsequently cared for (NICU vs non-NICU setting). A modified QUIPS (QUality In Prognostic Studies) tool was used to assess quality.

RESULTS

Nine studies compared outcomes for babies born between 27 and 31 weeks of gestation and 11 studies compared outcomes for babies born between 1000 and 1500 g birth weight. Heterogeneity in comparator groups, birth locations, gestational age ranges, timescale for mortality reporting, and description of morbidities facilitated a narrative review as opposed to a meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION

Due to paucity of evidence, significant heterogeneity and potential for bias, we were not able to answer our question-does place of birth or care affect outcomes for babies born between 27 and 31 weeks? This supports the need for large-scale research to investigate place of birth and care for babies born in this gestational age range.

Outcomes of infants born at 22-27 weeks' gestation in Victoria according to outborn/inborn birth status

OBJECTIVES

To compare mortality and serious morbidity rates between outborn and inborn livebirths at 22-27 weeks' gestation.

DESIGN

Population-based cohort study.

SETTING

Victoria, Australia.

PATIENTS

Livebirths at 22-27 weeks' gestation free of major malformations in 2010-2011.

INTERVENTIONS

Outcome data for outborn (born outside a tertiary perinatal centre) infants compared with inborn (born in a tertiary perinatal centre) infants were analysed by logistic regression, adjusted for gestational age, birth weight and sex.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Infant mortality and serious morbidity rates to hospital discharge.

RESULTS

541 livebirths free of major malformations were recorded. By 1 year, 49 (58%) outborns and 140 (31%) inborns died (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.78, 95% CI 1.52 to 5.09, p=0.001). In total, 445 infants were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); 93 died by 1 year (14/49 outborns and 79/396 inborns), (aOR 1.75, 95% CI 0.87 to 3.55, p=0.12). There were no significant differences in rates of necrotising enterocolitis, intraventricular haemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or the combined outcome of death or BPD in outborn infants compared with inborn infants. Outborns had an increased risk of cystic periventricular leukomalacia (cPVL) compared with inborns (12.2% vs 2.8%, respectively; aOR 5.34, 95% CI 1.84 to 15.54, p=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality rates remained higher for outborn livebirths at 22-27 weeks' gestation compared with inborn peers in 2010-2011. Outborn infants admitted to NICU did not have substantially different rates of mortality or serious morbidity compared with inborns, with the exception of cPVL. Longer-term health consequences of outborn birth before 28 weeks' gestation need to be determined.

Risk of neurodevelopmental impairment for outborn extremely preterm infants in an Australian regional network

OBJECTIVE

To compare neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2-3 years in extremely premature outborn and inborn infants.

DESIGN

Population-based retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Geographically defined area of New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) served by a network of 10 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

PATIENTS

All premature infants <29 weeks gestation born between 1998 and 2004 in the setting.

INTERVENTION

At 2-3 years, corrected age, 1473 children were assessed with either the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales (GMDS) or the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-II).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Moderate/severe functional disability (FD) defined as: developmental delay (GMDS general quotient (GQ) or BSID-II mental developmental index (MDI)) > 2 standard deviations (SD) below the mean; cerebral palsy (CP) requiring aids; sensorineural or conductive deafness (requiring amplification); or bilateral blindness (visual acuity <6/60 in better eye).

RESULTS

At 2-3 years, moderate/severe functional disability does not appear to be significantly different between outborn and inborn infants (adjusted OR 0.782; 95% CI 0.424-1.443). However, there were a significant number of outborn infants lost to follow up (23.3% versus 42.9%).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort, at 2-3 years follow up neurodevelopmental outcome does not appear to be significantly different between outborn and inborn infants. These results should be interpreted with caution given the limitation of this study.

Review of respiratory management of extremely premature neonates during transport

INTRODUCTION

The objective was to evaluate the respiratory management of neonates of 23 to 26 weeks' gestation transported after birth outside a tertiary center. Another objective was to collect data regarding survival, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and chronic lung disease.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of transports from a statewide dedicated neonatal and pediatric transport service over a 3-year period. Data were collected from the local databases. Neonates with and without transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TcCO2) monitoring were compared. Outcomes were compared with the inborn group from the same period.

RESULTS

A total of 43 mechanically ventilated neonates were included. Significant hypocarbia and/or hypercarbia were seen in 49%. Hyperoxia was noted in 46.5%. Despite the moderate correlation between PCO2 and TcCO2 readings, no clinical benefit was seen with TcCO2 monitoring. Survival was 65.1%. Rates of IVH were 60% for any IVH and 27.5% for severe IVH. IVH was more common in the study cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Neonates born at 23 to 26 weeks' gestation outside tertiary centers have high rates of mortality and morbidity. The avoidance of hypocarbia, hypercarbia, and hyperoxia is challenging in the transport environment. Transcutaneous monitoring is an imperfect tool for following PCO2 levels.

Potentially avoidable neonatal retrievals in New South Wales: a retrospective analysis

OBJECTIVE

To identify areas for improvement in outcomes in retrieved newborns by reviewing newborn retrieval activity and evaluating potentially avoidable retrievals from each referring hospital stratified by the level of service delivery over the study period.

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of newborn retrievals from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2009.

SETTING

Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS).

PARTICIPANTS

Newborns less than 72 hours old retrieved by NETS in the study period. Each retrieval was classified as potentially avoidable, unavoidable or unclassified, based on predefined criteria.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Newborn retrieval rates (per 10,000 live births) and potentially avoidable retrievals for each referring hospital level and overall.

RESULTS

There were 2494 newborn retrievals over the study period, with an annual mean of 623 total and 30 potentially avoidable retrievals. There was a reduction in the potentially avoidable retrieval rate (per 10,000 live births) over the study period (from 3.9 in 2006 and 4.2 in 2007 to 2.2 in 2008 and 2.3 in 2009) despite an increase in the total retrieval rate over the same time. Discretionary caesarean, defined as elective (pre-labour) caesarean section without documented fetal or maternal indications before 39 completed weeks of gestation, accounted for two-thirds of the potentially avoidable retrievals.

CONCLUSIONS

Potentially avoidable retrievals were a small but significant proportion and are becoming less frequent. Discretionary caesarean is the most common cause of potentially avoidable retrieval. Strict implementation of the elective caesarean section policy directive has the potential to reduce morbidity and the costs related to retrieval.

Obstetric air medical retrievals in the Australian outback

INTRODUCTION

Women in labor or with complications of pregnancy in the remote, outback region of Australia's Northern Territory are transported to the hospital by air. The objective of this study was to describe the interventions required by obstetric and newborn patients during air medical transport and to evaluate how often these were beyond the scope of practice of a team consisting of an experienced midwife with or without a general flight doctor.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis of 200 consecutive women between 20 weeks gestation up to 24 hours postpartum and newborns transferred during the same time period.

RESULTS

Only 1 obstetric patient required intervention beyond the scope of a midwife. Forty-eight newborn infants were transferred. Eleven (23%) required interventions within the skill range of a general flight doctor. Twenty (42%) required neonatal specialist care. Ten of 31 newborns requiring more than midwifery care were referred for transport while in utero.

CONCLUSIONS

In this specific cohort, a midwife provided an appropriate level of maternal care to the majority of patients. Newborns frequently required clinical expertise beyond the practice scope of a midwife and general flight doctor. Most women in labor do not deliver during transport. The transport service has finite economic resources and logistical constraints. This study highlighted an ongoing challenge regarding when to request additional neonatal specialist care for preterm or high-risk patients referred for transport in utero.

Planned hospital birth versus planned home birth

BACKGROUND

Observational studies of increasingly better quality and in different settings suggest that planned home birth in many places can be as safe as planned hospital birth and with less intervention and fewer complications. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 1998.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of planned hospital birth compared with planned home birth in selected low-risk women, assisted by an experienced midwife with collaborative medical back up in case transfer should be necessary.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 March 2012) and contacted editors and authors involved with possible trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing planned hospital birth with planned home birth in low-risk women as described in the objectives.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The two review authors as independently as possible assessed trial quality and extracted data. We contacted study authors for additional information.

MAIN RESULTS

Two trials met the inclusion criteria but only one trial involving 11 women provided some outcome data and was included. The evidence from this trial was of moderate quality and too small to allow conclusions to be drawn.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is no strong evidence from randomised trials to favour either planned hospital birth or planned home birth for low-risk pregnant women. However, the trials show that women living in areas where they are not well informed about home birth may welcome ethically well-designed trials that would ensure an informed choice. As the quality of evidence in favour of home birth from observational studies seems to be steadily increasing, it might be as important to prepare a regularly updated systematic review including observational studies as described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions as to attempt to set up new randomised controlled trials.

Organisation of obstetric services for very preterm births in Europe: results from the MOSAIC project

OBJECTIVE

To study the impact of the organisation of obstetric services on the regionalisation of care for very preterm births.

DESIGN

Cohort study.

SETTING

Ten European regions covering 490 000 live births.

POPULATION

All children born in 2003 between 24 and 31 weeks of gestation.

METHOD

The rate of specialised maternity units per 10 000 total births, the proportion of total births in specialised units and the proportion of very preterm births by referral status in specialised units were compared.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Birth in a specialised maternity unit (level III unit or unit with a large neonatal unit (at least 50 annual very preterm admissions).

RESULTS

The organisation of obstetric care varied in these regions with respect to the supply of level III units (from 2.3 per 10 000 births in the Portuguese region to 0.2 in the Polish region), their characteristics (annual number of deliveries, 24 hour presence of a trained obstetrician) and the proportion of all births (term and preterm) that occur in these units. The proportion of very preterm births in level III units ranged from 93 to 63% in the regions. Different approaches were used to obtain a high level of regionalisation: high proportions of total deliveries in specialised units, high proportions of in utero transfers or high proportions of high-risk women who were referred to a specialised unit during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Consensus does not exist on the optimal characteristics of specialised units but regionalisation may be achieved in different models of organisation of obstetric services.

Comparison of neonatal outcome for inborn and outborn very low-birthweight preterm infants

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to compare the neonatal outcome of very low-birthweight (VLBW) preterm infants with regard to inborn and outborn status in a medical center of Southern Taiwan, where short-distance neonatal transport is the rule and maternal transport was not well established.

METHODS

This retrospective study included outborn VLBW preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung after neonatal transport during the period from 1999 through 2003. An equal number of inborn preterm infants matched for gender and birthweight were included as controls. Infants with lethal congenital anomalies or who died in the delivery room were excluded. Data were collected from reviewing medical charts.

RESULTS

A total of 34 inborn VLBW infants and 34 outborn VLBW infants with neonatal transport were included. Chronic lung disease (CLD) was significantly more frequent in the outborn group according to McNemar test (P = 0.0124) and logistic regression. Logistic regression also showed that outborn status (P = 0.0173) and birthweight (P = 0.0024) were the two most important risk factors for development of CLD.

CONCLUSION

Well-trained short distance neonatal transport is useful and valuable for VLBW infants with gestation age of 27-34 weeks in Southern Taiwan. The respiratory outcome, however, was poor in the outborn group in terms of incidence of CLD. To improve the respiratory outcome, further modification of respiratory care during transportation or antenatal maternal transport is crucial.

Risk factors for not delivering in a level III unit before 32 weeks of gestation: results from a population-based study in Paris and surrounding districts in 2003

Delivery of very preterm babies in maternity units with on-site neonatal intensive care (level III units) is associated with lower mortality and morbidity. This analysis explores risk factors for not delivering in a level III unit, using data from a population-based study of very preterm births in Paris and surrounding districts in 2003. The sample for analysis included resident women with a fetus alive at the onset of labour between 24 and 31 weeks of gestation (n = 641). Characteristics of women delivering in and those not in level III units were compared using logistic regression. Further analysis was carried out for the subgroup of women not already scheduled to deliver in a level III unit. Twenty-nine per cent of women did not deliver in level III units; in the subgroup scheduled to deliver in level I or II units, 43% were not transferred. Women were less likely to deliver in a level III unit if they had a singleton pregnancy, a gestation of <26 weeks or at 31 weeks, experienced antenatal haemorrhaging, lived in socially deprived neighbourhoods or at a greater distance from the nearest level III. Women scheduled to deliver in a maternity unit with a special care nursery were also less likely to deliver in a level III unit. In contrast, preterm rupture of membranes and fetal growth restriction increased the likelihood of a level III delivery. These results underline the importance of controlling for clinical characteristics when analysing perinatal outcome by place of delivery and show how socioeconomic factors, known to impact on the risk of having a preterm birth, can also affect access to appropriate care.

Characteristics of neonatal units that care for very preterm infants in Europe: results from the MOSAIC study

OBJECTIVES

We sought to compare guidelines for level III units in 10 European regions and analyze the characteristics of neonatal units that care for very preterm infants.

METHODS

The MOSAIC (Models of Organising Access to Intensive Care for Very Preterm Births) project combined a prospective cohort study on all births between 22 and 31 completed weeks of gestation in 10 European regions and a survey of neonatal unit characteristics. Units that admitted > or = 5 infants at < 32 weeks of gestation were included in the analysis (N = 111). Place of hospitalization of infants who were admitted to neonatal care was analyzed by using the cohort data (N = 4947). National or regional guidelines for level III units were reviewed.

RESULTS

Six of 9 guidelines for level III units included minimum size criteria, based on number of intensive care beds (6 guidelines), neonatal admissions (2), ventilated patients (1), obstetric intensive care beds (1), and deliveries (2). The characteristics of level III units varied, and many were small or unspecialized by recommended criteria: 36% had fewer than 50 very preterm annual admissions, 22% ventilated fewer than 50 infants annually, and 28% had fewer than 6 intensive care beds. Level II units were less specialized, but some provided mechanical ventilation (57%) or high-frequency ventilation (20%) or had neonatal surgery facilities (17%). Sixty-nine percent of level III and 36% of level I or II units had continuous medical coverage by a qualified pediatrician. Twenty-two percent of infants who were < 28 weeks of gestation were treated in units that admitted fewer than 50 very preterm infants annually (range: 2%-54% across the study regions).

CONCLUSIONS

No consensus exists in Europe about size or other criteria for NICUs. A better understanding of the characteristics associated with high-quality neonatal care is needed, given the high proportion of very preterm infants who are cared for in units that are considered small or less specialized by many recommendations.

Evaluation of the impact of the S.T.A.B.L.E. Program on the pretransport care of the neonate

PURPOSE

To determine whether the S.T.A.B.L.E. Program increases health care providers' confidence and clinical abilities in pretransport stabilization and to assess the care of transported neonates before and after S.T.A.B.L.E. Program education.

DESIGN

A descriptive design was used to evaluate health care providers ' confidence about pretransport stabilization and to assess infant outcomes before and after S.T.A.B.L.E. education.

SAMPLE

Sixty-four participants in the S.T.A.B.L.E. Program in Nova Scotia participated in this study over a 13-month period. Thestudy evaluated the charts of all neonates transported tothe IWK Health Centre over two one-year periods, before and after the S.T.A.B.L.E. Program.

MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE

Perceived confidence and incorporation of S.T.A.B.L.E. Program principles among regional health care provide:rs and neonatal stability at time of transfer were measured.

RESULTS

Ninety-six percent of participants indicated that the course was relevant and useful. Ninety percent indicated that they felt more confident about their ability to provide neonatal pretransport stabilization, and 86.5 percent reported adoptionof the S.T.A.B.L.E. Program principles into their practice. There were no differences in infant outcomes between the pre- and post-S.T.A.B.L.E. time periods.

Comment décider avec justesse, justice et équité? Réflexion sur la décision en situation d'extrême prématurité

Extreme premature child's long-term prognostic is getting better and better known, and if a resuscitation procedure is possible at birth, it won't guarantee survival or a survival free of disability. Incertitude toward individual prognosis and outcome for those childs remains considerable. In this field, we are at the frontier of medical knowledge and the answer to the question, "how to decide the ante and postnatal care?" is crucial. This work is focused on this problematic of decision making in the context of extreme prematurity. It attempts to deconstruct this concept and to explicit its stakes. Thus, with the support of the medical sources and of philosophical debates, we tried to build a decision-making procedure that complies with the ethical requirements of medical care, accuracy, justice and equity. This decision-making procedure is primarily concerned with the singularity of each decision situation and it intends to link it closely to the notions of rationality and responsibility.

Establishing neonatal networks: the reality

Managed clinical networks for neonatal care were established in England from 2004. Their structure and effectiveness varies widely over the country. Changes in medical manpower and the scarcity of neonatal nurses make the move towards networks urgent, but there is little evidence of a coordinated approach to improving capacity in the tertiary centres, who will have to absorb the activity that follows reconfiguration. Changes in the governance of hospitals, NHS authority boundaries and in commissioning specialist services, with the drive towards reducing health costs, places the process at some considerable risk. Despite these challenges, the development of coordinated clinical networks will be an important force in improving outcome for very preterm babies in the UK. The development of some form of national coordination of network activities and greater sharing of good practice would enhance the value of the managed clinical neonatal networks.

Improved outcomes of extremely premature outborn infants: effects of strategic changes in perinatal and retrieval services

OBJECTIVE

The goal was to evaluate the impact of statewide coordinated changes in perinatal support and retrieval services on the outcomes of extremely premature births occurring outside perinatal centers in the state of New South Wales, Australia.

METHODS

The intervention included additional, network-coordinated, perinatal telephone advice to optimize in utero transfers and centralization of the neonatal retrieval system, with preferential admission of retrieved infants (outborn infants) to perinatal centers instead of freestanding pediatric hospitals, from the middle of 1995. Population birth and NICU admission cohorts of infants of 23 to 28 weeks of gestation were studied. Outcomes of epoch 1 (1992 to the middle of 1995; 1778 births and 1100 NICU admissions) were compared with those of epoch 2 (1997-2002; 3099 births and 2100 NICU admissions), after an 18-month washout period.

RESULTS

There were 25% fewer nontertiary hospital live births (19.7% vs 14.9%) and more prenatal steroid use. Despite an 11.4% average annual increase in NICU admissions between the 2 epochs, fewer infants were outborn (12.0% vs 9.3%) and outborn mortality rates decreased significantly (39.4% vs 25.1%), particularly for those between 27 and 28 weeks of gestation. The overall improvement was equivalent to 1 extra survivor per 16 New South Wales births. There were also significantly fewer serious outcome morbidities in outborn infants during epoch 2, over the improvements in inborn infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Statewide coordinated strategies in reducing nontertiary hospital births and optimizing transport of outborn infants to perinatal centers have improved considerably the outcomes of extremely premature infants. These findings have vital implications for health outcomes and resource planning.

Influence of perinatal care regionalisation on the referral patterns of intermediate- and high-risk pregnancies

OBJECTIVE(S)

To use the delivery site according to the birth weight as a marker of changes in the referral practices after regionalisation of perinatal care.

STUDY DESIGN

Analysis of the distribution of low birth weight infants according to the level of care in Rhone-Alpes from 1998 to 2000 and analysis of the birth rate heterogeneity according to the delivery site characteristics.

RESULTS

The distribution of infants<or=1500 g remained constant at all levels (60% at level 3). That of infants 1500-2000 g born at level 3 dropped in 2000 but raised at levels 1 and 2. For both weight categories, the lower birth rates corresponded to the private, the lower-flow, and the more distant from neonatal intensive care units facilities. For infants<or=1500 g, the level 3 birth rate was four times the level 2 (P=0.0006) and five times the level 1 (P<0.0001) rates. For infants 1500-2000 g, level 3 birth rate was twice the level 2 (P=0.0096) and 3.6 times the level 1 (P<0.0001) rates. Birth rates were always significantly higher in university than in private facilities.

CONCLUSION(S)

Supervising level 3 is insufficient to show the effect of regionalisation. A more accurate analysis of intermediate-risk referral determinants is needed to reach a more demand/supply adequacy.

Improved outcomes of outborn preterm infants if admitted to perinatal centers versus freestanding pediatric hospitals

OBJECTIVES

To examine whether admission hospital type (13 perinatal centers vs 4 freestanding pediatric hospitals) was associated with differences in risk and illness severity adjusted mortality and morbidity among outborn preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN

Records of singleton outborn infants < or =32 weeks' gestational age (n = 605) admitted to 17 tertiary level neonatal intensive care units participating in the Canadian Neonatal Network for the period 1996 to 1997 were examined.

RESULTS

Outborn infants admitted to freestanding pediatric hospitals were at higher risk of death (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20, 4.20), nosocomial infection (AOR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.64, 3.73), and oxygen dependency at 28 days of age (AOR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.14, 2.75) when compared with outborn infants admitted to perinatal centers.

CONCLUSIONS

After adjustment for perinatal risks and admission illness severity, outborn infants had better outcomes if they were admitted to perinatal centers compared with freestanding pediatric hospitals.

Could the consequences of premature delivery be further attenuated by means of new prenatal strategies?

The last 10 years have already seen improvements in the short- and long-term prognosis for premature neonates. Nevertheless, progress in the prenatal evaluation of predictive factors for neonatal diseases and more detailed and reliable knowledge of fetal physiology could allow the development of new treatments with consequent expectations of further improvements in the prognosis for such premature newborns. Global strategies for the management of preterm labour, ranging from a policy for prenatal transfer to centres offering the appropriate level of perinatal care, should continue to be expanded, and long-term evaluations must also be continued.

Handicap neuro-sensoriel grave de l’enfant grand prématuré

OBJECTIVE

Advances in perinatal care have resulted in a sharply increasing survival rate among very preterm infants. However, there is some concern about the later neurodevelopmental outcome of those infants who survive. In this paper, we review the prevalence estimates of motor (cerebral palsy), sensorineural and cognitive impairments and their recent time-trends in very preterm infants.

METHOD

A review of studies describing neurodevelopmental outcome of very preterm infants in Europe, Australia and America North.

RESULTS

The gestational age-specific prevalences of cerebral palsy (CP) were 72-86 for extremely preterm children (<28 weeks), 32-60 for very preterm (28-31 weeks) and 5-6 for moderate preterm (32-36 weeks), and 1.3-1.5 for term children per 1000. The live birth prevalence for CP remained unchanged in extremely and very preterm infants since 1990. The prevalence estimates of moderate and severe cognitive impairments are 15 to 25% in very preterm children. Less than 4% of very preterm infants develop severe hearing or visual loss.

CONCLUSION

This review indicates that very preterm infants have high risk of disability. Most studies have been conducted between 1985 and 1995. Thus, these results should be interpreted with caution before generalisation to recent cohorts.

Trends in place of birth for preterm infants in New South Wales, 1992-2001

OBJECTIVE

To examine trends in preterm births, especially those less than 33 weeks gestation, occurring in perinatal centres in New South Wales (NSW) from 1992 to 2001.

METHODS

Population data were obtained from the NSW Midwives' Data Collection. Trends in the proportion of births in perinatal centres by gestation and by type of preterm birth (spontaneous or elective), and in Apgar scores and neonatal mortality were determined.

RESULTS

The preterm birth rate increased from 6.1% in 1992 to 6.7% in 2001. Factors contributing to the increase in preterm births were multiple births and elective preterm deliveries. Births less than 33 weeks gestation in perinatal centres increased from 76% to 83% and for multiple births from 77% to 87%. This coincided with a decrease in 1-minute Apgar scores less than 4 but no significant change in 5-minute Apgar scores or neonatal mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Progress has been made towards the National Health and Medical Research Council guideline that births less than 33 weeks gestation occur in perinatal centres. Preterm births are increasing, creating greater demands for neonatal intensive care unit care and ventilation services.

Évaluation des risques en anténatal, information des parents et prise en charge de l’accouchement

Perinatal networks, antenatal administration of glucosteroids, postnatal administration of surfactant, and new techniques for mechanical ventilation, have considerably improved the prognosis of extremely preterm infants. Such recent progress in perinatology had enabled neonatologists to provide intensive care for infants born after 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. This practice raises serious medical and ethical issues. The optimal mode of delivery of such newborns is not well established mainly because available studies are retrospective and subjected to biases. Moreover, perinatologists are implicated in the continuing discussion on ethical issues that modify clinical practices.

Higher mortality rates among inborn infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units at night

OBJECTIVE

To examine circadian variation in deaths among infants < or =32 weeks' gestation admitted to Canadian neonatal intensive care units (NICU).

STUDY DESIGN

We examined all infants (n=5192) between 24 and 32 weeks' gestation with complete data, who were admitted to 17 tertiary Canadian Neonatal Network NICUs from January 1996 to October 1997. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare risk-adjusted early neonatal mortality rates (death within 7 days of NICU admission) of infants admitted during daytime (8 am to 5 pm) with infants admitted at night.

RESULTS

Sixty percent (n=3131) of infants were admitted to the NICU at night. Patient risk factors significantly (P<.05) predictive of early neonatal death from multivariable logistic regression were male sex, outborn status, APGAR score <7 at 5 minutes, presence of congenital anomalies, low gestational age, and high admission Score for neonatal acute physiology, version II (SNAP-II). For inborn infants, in-house presence of a neonatal fellow or attending neonatologist at night (odds ratio, 0.6) and NICU admission at night (odds ratio, 1.6) were also predictive.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk-adjusted early neonatal mortality odds was 60% higher among inborn infants < or =32 weeks' gestation admitted to NICUs at night compared with during daytime, equivalent to 29 excess deaths per 1000 infants.

The benefit of preterm birth at tertiary care centers is related to gestational age

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between gestational age and outcomes of outborn versus inborn preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN

Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine gestational age-specific, risk-adjusted outcomes of 2962 singleton infants who were born at <32 weeks of gestation who were admitted to 17 Canadian neonatal intensive care units from 1996 through 1997.

RESULTS

The risk-adjusted incidence was significantly (P <.05) higher among outborn versus inborn infants for mortality rates (odds ratio, 2.2) and > or =grade 3 intraventricular hemorrhage (odds ratio, 2.1) at < or =26 weeks of gestation and for chronic lung disease (odds ratio, 1.7) at 27 to 29 weeks of gestation. Outcomes of outborn and inborn infants at 30 to 31 weeks of gestation were not significantly different.

CONCLUSION

The short-term benefit of preterm birth at tertiary centers is related inversely to gestational age and may not extend beyond 29 weeks of gestation.

Home versus hospital birth

BACKGROUND

A meta-analysis of observational studies have suggested that planned home birth may be safe and with less interventions than planned hospital birth.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of planned home birth compared to hospital birth on the rates of interventions, complications and morbidity as determined in randomised trials.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Date of last search: September 1999.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Controlled trials comparing planned hospital birth to planned home birth in selected women, assisted by an experienced home birth practitioner, and backed up by a modern hospital system in case transfer should be necessary.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Trial quality was assessed and data were extracted by one reviewer and checked by the other reviewer. Study authors were contacted for additional information.

MAIN RESULTS

One study involving 11 women was included. The trial was of reasonable quality, but was too small to be able to draw conclusions.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

There is no strong evidence to favour either planned hospital birth or planned home birth for low risk pregnant women.