17 Feb Survival Rates Improving For Very Preterm Infants
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Carla Bann
Carla M. Bann, Ph.D.
Division of Statistical and Data Sciences
RTI International
Research Triangle Park, NC
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Several medical advances have been made over the past two decades to improve the care and survival of infants born pre-term. However, approaches to care differ greatly among providers for infants born at the limits of viability (22 to 24 weeks gestation), far earlier than the 40 weeks generally expected for a pregnancy to reach full-term. Little is known about the outcomes of these infants, particularly whether those who survive experience significant neurodevelopmental impairments.
RTI served as the data coordinating center for this research that examined the survival and neurodevelopmental impairment at 18-22 months corrected age of over 4,000 infants born at 22 to 24 weeks gestation during 2000 to 2011 at medical centers participating in a national research network funded by the NIH. In this group of babies, infant survival improved over time from survival rates of 30 percent in 2000-2003 to 36 percent in 2008-2011. The proportion of infants who survived without a neurodevelopmental impairment also increased from 16 percent in 2000-2003 to 20 percent in 2008-2011.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Our findings show measurable improvements in outcomes for infants born extremely pre-term, not only in survival, but also in survival without neurodevelopmental impairment. However, these infants are still at substantial risk based on the 2008-2011 data that estimates 64 percent don’t survive and 16 percent survive with a neurodevelopmental impairment.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Risks of death and poor neurodevelopmental outcomes remain high for this population. Continued research is needed on prenatal care and monitoring to prevent pre-term births, as well as neonatal care for babies who are born at these early stages.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Survival and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes among Periviable Infants
Noelle Younge, M.D., M.H.S., Ricki F. Goldstein, M.D., Carla M. Bann, Ph.D., Susan R. Hintz, M.D., Ravi M. Patel, M.D., P. Brian Smith, M.D., M.P.H., M.H.S., Edward F. Bell, M.D., Matthew A. Rysavy, M.D., Ph.D., Andrea F. Duncan, M.D., Betty R. Vohr, M.D., Abhik Das, Ph.D., Ronald N. Goldberg, M.D., Rosemary D. Higgins, M.D., and C. Michael Cotten, M.D., M.H.S., for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network*
N Engl J Med 2017; 376:617-628February 16, 2017DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1605566
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
More Medical Research Interviews on MedicalResearch.com
Last Updated on February 17, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD