Survival and neonatal and neurodevelopmental outcome of 24-29 week gestation infants according to primary cause of preterm delivery

A total of 189 infants of 24-29 weeks' gestation were born in a regional perinatal centre during a 2-year period. They were divided into groups according to the primary cause of preterm delivery: antepartum haemorrhage (n=37, 20%), preeclampsia (n=27, 14%), preterm premature rupture of membranes (n=64, 34%), preterm labour (n=27, 14%), chorioamnionitis (n=16, 8%), other complications (n=18, 10%). The perinatal mortality rate (PMR) was 286/1,000 of whom 44% were stillbirths. The 'other complication' group had the highest PMR due to a large number of intrauterine deaths, with no differences in neonatal mortality between the groups. Preeclampsia was associated with an increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis and chorioamnionitis was associated with an increased risk of periventricular haemorrhage. Follow-up to at least 2 years was performed in 122 (97%) of survivors. Cerebral palsy occurred in 7%, while 18% had neurodevelopmental disability. No relationship was found between primary cause of preterm delivery and outcome. This information should be of value in counselling parents when preterm delivery is imminent.