Care for infants born at 23 weeks gestational age: 5 years' experience from a large medical center

Abstract

Objectives: Assessing parental choice regarding care of infants born at 23 weeks' gestation.

Methods: Neonatal records review.

Results: During 2010–2014, of 26 births (33 infants), 13 families (17 newborns) conceded comfort care only with no survivors, while 13 families (16 babies) requested full medical care and three survived. With birth year, gender, multi-fetal pregnancy, assisted reproductive technology, religious background and specialization of physician counseling at delivery as independent variables, none significantly affected parental decision; yet, that decision impacted outcome.

Conclusions: Parental choice regarding infants born at 23 weeks' gestation cannot be predicted from demographics; counseling should concentrate on local experience/outcome.

• Neonatal mortality
• parental decision-making
• preterm

Declaration of interest

None of the authors have any financial relationships that could be broadly relevant to the work. No special funding was received for this study. None of the authors have any Conflicts of Interest relevant to this study and its data or conclusions.