%0 Journal Article
%T Outcome in very preterm infants: a population-based study from a regional center in Austria.
%A Konzett K
%A Riedl D
%A Blassnig-Ezeh A
%A Gang S
%A Simma B
%J Front Pediatr
%V 12
%N 0
%D 2024
%M 38370138
%F 3.569
%R 10.3389/fped.2024.1336469
%X <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>To determine short-term morbidity and mortality rates in the first state-wide Austrian neonatal cohort and comparison to (inter)national data.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Observational, population-based cohort study, analyzing data of preterm infants (<32 + 0 weeks of gestation) born between 2007 and 2020 (n = 501) in an Austrian state who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Outcome criteria were mortality, neonatal morbidities: bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), severe necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH grades III-IV), severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP grades III-V) and survival-free of major complications.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Overall survival rate was 95%, survival free of major complications was 79%. Prevalence for BPD was 11.2%, surgical NEC 4.0%, severe IVH 4.6%, and for severe ROP 2.6%, respectively. In the extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGAN) born <28 weeks of gestation (n = 158), survival was 88% and survival free of major complications 58.8%. Over time, mortality decreased significantly, predominantly driven by the improvement of infants born <28 week of gestation and survival free of major complications improved.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>This study demonstrates a very low mortality rate that decreases over time. Short-term morbidities and survival free of major complications do not differ from (inter)national data in a similar group of very preterm infants. Standard operating procedures, simulation trainings and accordance to international trials may improve patient care and surpass center case loads.