PRETERM INFANTS 30-36 WEEKS GESTATION IN VICTORIA - WHERE SHOULD THEYBE DELIVERED

There is little doubt that very preterm infants <30 weeks' gestation s hould be born in level-3 perinatal centres. For preterm infants 30-36 weeks' gestation, however, the optimum place of birth is not so clear- cut. The aims of this study of livebirths 30-36 weeks' gestational age born in Victoria were to determine: 1) the proportions delivered outs ide level-3 centres, and 2) for infants born outside level-3 centres, the proportions transferred after birth to a level-3 nursery in the fi rst days after birth. Data on the number of livebirths 30-36 weeks' ge stational age in Victoria in the 3 years 1994-1996, inclusive, were su pplied by the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit. Data were obta ined from the Newborn Emergency Transport Service (NETS) on all transf ers within the first 3 days after birth to a level-3 centre for infant s born outside level-3 centres. For the 3 years 1994-1996 there were 1 1,375 livebirths 30-36 weeks' gestational age in Victoria. The proport ion born outside a level-3 perinatal unit was 57.9% overall, and rose with increasing gestational age, from 10.9 % at 30 weeks to 69.0% at 3 6 weeks. Of the 6,587 livebirths outside a level-3 centre, 808 (12.3%) were transferred within the first 3 days after birth by NETS to a lev el-3 centre, the proportions falling with increasing maturity, being 7 3.7%, 48.5%, 28.4%, 26.9%, 18.8%, 11.8%, and 7.0% at 30, 31, 32, 33, 3 4, 35, and 36 weeks, respectively. These data may help medical practit ioners when determining the place of delivery for infants 30-36 weeks' gestation.