Morbidity and mortality in newborns at the limit of viability in Spain: A population-based study

Rodrigo, F. García-Muñoz; Pérez, A. García-Alix; Hernández, J.A. García; Aloy, J. Figueras

doi:10.1016/j.anpede.2013.12.001

Article information

Abstract

Introduction

Perinatal care in extremely immature newborns is a clinical and ethical problem of great importance for professionals and families, and requires that the available information on the chances of child survival is of the highest quality. The aim of this study was to determine the specific rates of survival at hospital discharge, and survival without major morbidity in newborns with a gestation age (GA) ≤ 26 weeks in Spain.

Patients and methods

We included live newborns ≤ 26 weeks admitted to the collaborating centres of the SEN1500 network (2004-2010). Outborn patients, infants who died in delivery room, and those with congenital anomalies incompatible with life were excluded.

Results

A total of 3,236 patients were included. GA specific survival was 12.5, 13.1, 36.9, 55.7, and 71.9% at 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 weeks of GA, respectively. Survival without severe intracranial haemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and/or retinopathy of prematurity was 1.5, 9.5, 19.0, and 29.9% at 23, 24, 25 and 26 weeks GA, respectively.

Conclusions

Survival without major morbidity in infants less than 23 weeks GA is exceptional, and scarce in newborns with 23 and 24 weeks GA. Infants ≥ 25 weeks GA have reasonable chances of survival and, in the absence of major malformations or other relevant complications, they should be offered active resuscitation and intensive care. The continuous updating of the results of individual centres is of utmost importance, as well as their comparison with the reference population-based results.

Keywords:

Limits of viability

Extreme prematurity

Morbidity

Mortality

Major brain damage

Clinical decision- making

Resumen

Introducción

La asistencia perinatal a recién nacidos (RN) extremadamente inmaduros constituye un problema clínico y ético de gran trascendencia para profesionales y familias, y hace necesaria una información actualizada de la máxima calidad acerca de las posibilidades de supervivencia del niño. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer las tasas específicas de supervivencia al alta hospitalaria y de supervivencia sin morbilidad mayor conocida en RN con una edad gestacional (EG) ≤ 26 semanas en España.

Pacientes y métodos

Se incluyeron los RN vivos de ≤ 26 semanas que ingresaron en los centros colaboradores de la red SEN1500 (2004-2010). Se excluyeron los nacidos extramuros, los fallecidos en el paritorio y los que tenían malformaciones incompatibles con la vida.

Resultados

En total 3.236 pacientes fueron incluidos. La supervivencia específica por EG fue de 12,5, 13,1, 36,9, 55,7 y 71,9% a las 22, 23, 24, 25 y 26 semanas de EG, respectivamente. La supervivencia sin hemorragia intracraneal grave, leucomalacia periventricular, displasia broncopulmonar y/o retinopatía de la prematuridad fue del 1,5, 9,5, 19,0 y 29,9% a las 23, 24, 25 y 26 semanas, respectivamente.

Conclusiones

La supervivencia sin morbilidad mayor en menores de 23 semanas de EG es excepcional, y en RN de 23 y 24 semanas, muy baja. Los RN ≥ 25 semanas de EG tienen posibilidades razonables de supervivencia y, en ausencia de malformaciones mayores u otras complicaciones relevantes, se les debería ofrecer reanimación activa y cuidados intensivos. Es fundamental la actualización continua de los datos propios de cada centro y su comparación con los resultados poblacionales de referencia.

Palabras clave:

Límites de viabilidad

Prematuridad extrema

Morbilidad

Mortalidad

Lesión cerebral mayor

Toma de decisiones clínicas

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☆

Please cite this article as: García-Muñoz Rodrigo F, García-Alix Pérez A, García Hernández JA, Figueras Aloy J, Grupo SEN1500. Morbimortalidad en recién nacidos al límite de la viabilidad en España: estudio de base poblacional. An Pediatr (Barc). 2014;80:348-356.

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