Health status of a population of infants born before 26 weeks gestation derived from routine data collected between 21 and 27 months post-delivery

This retrospective study was designed: (a) to determine the extent to which routine data sources in the UK can provide data relating to the later heal th status of selected groups of infants: and (b) to use such an approach to describe the outcome of a geographically defined population of infants bor n before 26 weeks gestation. All infants of less than 26 weeks gestation ad mitted for neonatal intensive care during the period 1/1/91 and 31/12/93 wh ose mother's address at the time of birth was within the boundaries of the Trent Health Region were included. Health status was assessed against a pre viously described simple scheme and using information from existing sources only. During the 3-year period 249 infants of less than 26 weeks gestation were admitted for intensive care. Of these 66 (26.5%) survived to be disch arged from the neonatal service. A further seven infants died before the ag e of 2 years. Of the remaining 59 four were lost to follow up (three could not be traced; one was living abroad). Of the 55 infants reviewed, 36 demon strated no features, pre-defined in the classification scheme, of severe di sability. However, only 30 children appeared to be considered entirely norm al. Conclusion: Infants born before 26 weeks gestation and admitted for neo natal intensive care had, approximately, a 12% chance of normal survival to 2 years. A slightly smaller proportion of infants survived with significan t disability. Existing routine data sources could be adapted to provide use ful public health information about the outcome of 'high risk' groups Of in fants. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.