ObjectiveIn the Netherlands, the threshold for offering active treatment for spontaneous birth was lowered from 25+0 to 24+0 weeks’ gestation in 2010. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of guideline implementation on survival and causes and timing of death in the years following implementation.DesignNational cohort study, using data from the Netherlands Perinatal Registry.PatientsThe study population included all 3312 stillborn and live born infants with a gestational age (GA) between 240/7 and 266/7 weeks born between January 2011 and December 2017. Infants with the same GA born between January 2007 and December 2009 (N=1400) were used as the reference group.Main outcome measuresSurvival to discharge, as well as cause and timing of death.ResultsAfter guideline implementation, there was a significant increase in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission rate for live born infants born at 24 weeks’ GA (27%–69%, p<0.001), resulting in increased survival to discharge in 24-week live born infants (13%–34%, p<0.001). Top three causes of in-hospital mortality were necrotising enterocolitis (28%), respiratory distress syndrome (19%) and intraventricular haemorrhage (17%). A significant decrease in cause of death either complicated or caused by respiratory insufficiency was seen over time (34% in 2011–2014 to 23% in 2015–2017, p=0.006).ConclusionsImplementation of the 2010 guideline resulted as expected in increased NICU admissions rate and postnatal survival of infants born at 24 weeks’ GA. In the years after implementation, a shift in cause of death was seen from respiratory insufficiency towards necrotising enterocolitis and sepsis.

CONTEXT: Prediction models can be a valuable tool in performing risk assessment of mortality in preterm infants. OBJECTIVE: Summarizing prognostic models for predicting mortality in very preterm infants and assessing their quality. DATA SOURCES: Medline was searched for all articles (up to June 2020). STUDY SELECTION: All developed or externally validated prognostic models for mortality prediction in liveborn infants born &lt;32 weeks’ gestation and/or &lt;1500 g birth weight were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted by 2 independent authors. Risk of bias (ROB) and applicability assessment was performed by 2 independent authors using Prediction model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. RESULTS: One hundred forty-two models from 35 studies reporting on model development and 112 models from 33 studies reporting on external validation were included. ROB assessment revealed high ROB in the majority of the models, most often because of inadequate (reporting of) analysis. Internal and external validation was lacking in 41% and 96% of these models. Meta-analyses revealed an average C-statistic of 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83–0.91) for the Clinical Risk Index for Babies score, 0.87 (95% CI: 0.81–0.92) for the Clinical Risk Index for Babies II score, and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.78–0.92) for the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension II score. LIMITATIONS: Occasionally, an external validation study was included, but not the development study, because studies developed in the presurfactant era or general NICU population were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Instead of developing additional mortality prediction models for preterm infants, the emphasis should be shifted toward external validation and consecutive adaption of the existing prediction models.

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ObjectiveIn 2010, the Dutch practice regarding initiation of active treatment in extremely preterm infants was lowered from 25 completed weeks’ to 24 completed weeks’ gestation. The nationwide Extremely Preterm Infants – Dutch Analysis on Follow-up Study was set up to provide up-to-date data on neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years’ corrected age (CA) after this guideline change.Design: National cohort study.PatientsAll live born infants between 240/7 weeks’ and 266/7 weeks’ gestational age who were 2 years’ CA in 2018–2020.Main outcome measureImpairment at 2 years’ CA, based on cognitive score (Bayley-III-NL), neurological examination and neurosensory function.Results651 of 991 live born infants (66%) survived to 2 years’ CA, with data available for 554 (85%). Overall, 62% had no impairment, 29% mild impairment and 9% moderate-to-severe impairment (further defined as neurodevelopmental impairment, NDI). The percentage of survivors with NDI was comparable for infants born at 24 weeks’, 25 weeks’ and 26 weeks’ gestation. After multivariable analysis, severe brain injury and low maternal education were associated with higher odds on NDI. NDI-free survival was 48%, 67% and 75% in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-admitted infants at 24, 25 and 26 weeks’ gestation, respectively.ConclusionsLowering the threshold has not been accompanied by a large increase in moderate-to-severely impaired infants. Among live-born and NICU-admitted infants, an increase in NDI-free survival was observed from 24 weeks’ to 26 weeks’ gestation. This description of a national cohort with high follow-up rates gives an accurate description of the range of outcomes that may occur after extremely preterm birth.

Background: Determining optimal nutritional regimens in extremely preterm infants remains challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a new nutritional regimen and individual macronutrient intake on white matter integrity and neurodevelopmental outcome. Methods: Two retrospective cohorts of extremely preterm infants (gestational age <28 weeks) were included. Cohort B (n = 79) received a new nutritional regimen, with more rapidly increased, higher protein intake compared to cohort A (n = 99). Individual protein, lipid, and caloric intakes were calculated for the first 28 postnatal days. Diffusion tensor imaging was performed at term-equivalent age, and cognitive and motor development were evaluated at 2 years corrected age (CA) (Bayley-III-NL) and 5.9 years chronological age (WPPSI-III-NL, MABC-2-NL). Results: Compared to cohort A, infants in cohort B had significantly higher protein intake (3.4 g/kg/day vs. 2.7 g/kg/day) and higher fractional anisotropy (FA) in several white matter tracts but lower motor scores at 2 years CA (mean (SD) 103 (12) vs. 109 (12)). Higher protein intake was associated with higher FA and lower motor scores at 2 years CA (B = −6.7, p = 0.001). However, motor scores at 2 years CA were still within the normal range and differences were not sustained at 5.9 years. There were no significant associations with lipid or caloric intake. Conclusion: In extremely preterm born infants, postnatal protein intake seems important for white matter development but does not necessarily improve long-term cognitive and motor development.