The EPIBEL Study: Outcomes to Discharge From Hospital for Extremely Preterm Infants in Belgium

• DOI: 10.1542/peds.2003-0903-l
• Publication Date: 2004-11-05T17:23:17Z
• Authors: Piet Vanhaesebrouck; Karel Allegaert; Jean Bottu; Christian Debauche; Hugo Devlieger; Martine Docx; Anne François; Dominique Haumont; Jacques Lombet; Jacques Rigo; Koenraad Smets; Inge Vanherreweghe; Bart Van Overmeire; Patrick Van Reempts
• Keywords: Oxygen therapy; Surfactant therapy

Objective. To determine mortality and morbidity at discharge from the hospital of a large population-based cohort infants who were born ≤26 weeks' gestation. Methods. Perinatal data collected on extremely preterm alive onset labor between January 1, 1999, December 31, 2000, in all 19 Belgian perinatal centers. Results. A total 525 recorded. Life-supporting care was provided to 322 liveborn infants, 303 whom admitted for intensive care. The overall survival rate 54%. Of age 7 days, 82% survived discharge. Vaginal delivery, shorter gestation, air leak, longer ventilator dependence, higher initial oxygen need independently associated with death; gender, plurality, surfactant therapy not. Among 175 survivors, 63% had 1 or more 3 major adverse outcome variables time (serious neuromorbidity, chronic lung disease 36 postmenstrual age, treated retinopathy prematurity). chance free serious neonatal <15% (21 158) gestation <26 weeks. Conclusions. If being prolongation pregnancy is unsuccessful, then perspectives should be discussed treatment options including nonintervention explicitly made available parents within limits medical feasibility appropriateness.