Variation in mortality and intraventricular haemorrhage in occupants of Pacific Rim nurseries

OBJECTIVE: A network of neonatal intensive care units in Pacific Rim countries was formed to compare infant risk factors, clinical practices, and outcomes for very low birthweight infants. METHODOLOGY: A multicentre, prospective study compared outcomes for infants born smaller than 1501 g or at less than 31 weeks gestation. RESULTS: Gestational age-specific survival and incidence of intracranial haemorrhage varied for infants born in these nurseries. We found differences in infant risk factors among the nurseries. There were also significant differences in the use of antenatal steroids, but similar rates for Caesarean section and surfactant treatment. The factor most predictive of neonatal death and severe intracranial abnormality was an elevated Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) score. Antenatal steroid treatment (>24 h prior to delivery) was associated with improved survival and decreased incidence of severe intracranial abnormalities. Antenatal steroid treatment for less than 24 h prior to delivery was not associated with improved survival. Caesarean delivery was associated with improved survival, but showed no benefit regarding the incidence of severe intracranial abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: Our Pacific Rim nursery network found differences in neonatal outcomes that correlated best with measures of neonatal risk at birth, antenatal steroid treatment, and Caesarean delivery. These data emphasize the importance of obstetric care to improve postnatal outcomes in premature infants, and highlight the usefulness of CRIB scores in these patients.     

Outcome of extremely low birth weight infants (500 to 999 grams) over a 12-year period

OBJECTIVE: Advances in neonatology have contributed to improved survival for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. Neurodevelopmental outcome is usually reported for a single large group of infants rather than according to smaller birth weight groups because of small numbers. Our purpose was to review the neurodevelopmental outcome of a large group of ELBW infants and examine differential outcome according to birth weight. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 446 infants born between 1979 and 1991, with a birth weight of 500 to 999 g, were followed to mean age 55 months +/- 33 standard deviation. Univariate analyses of medical risk factors of birth weight, gestational age, year of birth, growth retardation, gender, inborn/outborn status, days on oxygen, intracranial hemorrhage, and social risk in relation to outcome were conducted on the group as a whole. Neurologic/developmental outcome was also analyzed by 100-g weight groups. RESULTS: A total of 61% of all infants were completely normal, with no neurologic, neurosensory, or cognitive deficits. There was no association between outcome and birth weight. There was a strong association between intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) grade III or IV and/or cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and abnormal outcome (Somers' D = .17) and ICH III/IV and/or cystic PVL and cognitive outcome (Kendall's tau = .15). Mild to moderate cognitive delays were associated with chronic lung disease (oxygen >60 days) (Kruskal-Wallis chi2 = 17.53) or high social risk (Kruskal-Wallis chi2 = 22.17). CONCLUSION: In this study of ELBW infants, low birth weight was not associated with abnormal outcome. The risk factors of ICH III-IV/cystic PVL, chronic lung disease, and high social risk were associated with abnormal outcome.     

营养与早产儿神经发育结局

随着围产医学和新生儿医学发展,极低和超低出生体质量(VLBW/ELBW)早产儿存活率普遍提高,但这些早产儿可进一步发生神经系统发育不良。除与神经系统发育有关的疾病如脑损伤外,在大脑迅速生长和发育的时期,营养同样是影响神经系统发育及不良预后的重要因素。VLBW/ELBW早产儿发生生长发育迟缓的风险增高,主要与出生后营养摄入不足有关。目前的证据显示,VLBW/ELBW早产儿出生后生长发育迟缓与神经系统发育损害有关。此外某些特殊营养素,如长链多不饱和脂肪酸与早产儿神经发育有相关关系。     

Adding Hydrocortisone as 1st Line of Inotropic Treatment for Hypotension in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

In this pilot study the authors demonstrate the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of the combined early treatment with hydrocortisone and dopamine for refractory hypotension in preterm newborns. Very low birth weight infants born at gestational age < 30 wk or birth weight < 1250 g in the first 48 h of life with hypotension after receiving 10–20 mL/kg bolus of normal saline, were randomized to receive concurrently with the initiation of dopamine, intravenous hydrocortisone (11 infants) or an equivalent volume of placebo (11 infants). Despite no significant clinical difference between the groups including gestational age, birth weight, prevalence of chorioamnionitis, prenatal steroid treatment, cord PH, baseline cortisol level, there was a trend towards lower incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and higher survival without BPD rate in the hydrocortisone group. In this very sick small group of infants, hydrocortisone was not associated with more adverse effects, but rather showed a trend toward association with better outcome, including survival without BPD.     

103例超未成熟儿及超低出生体重儿转归及影响因素分析

目的 总结超未成熟儿及超低出生体重儿发生的原因、相关影响因素及转归情况.方法 分析内蒙古医科大学附属医院2009年1月至2015年12月NICU收治的符合条件的103例超低出生体重儿及超未成熟儿的临床资料,包括母孕期病史、新生儿出生时情况、诊治经过及预后.结果 103例患儿存活67例,死亡36例,存活率65.0％ (67/103).妊娠高血压综合征、感染、胎膜早破等为发生超未成熟和超低出生体重儿的主要因素,影响两者的转归因素包括胎龄、性别、出生体重、肺出血、支气管肺发育不良、坏死性小肠结肠炎(P＜0.05).长期住院的存活患儿后期易并发贫血.死亡直接原因前4位包括肺出血、呼吸窘迫综合征、新生儿肺炎及坏死性小肠结肠炎.结论 加强高危妊娠监测管理,预防早产,加强NICU超未成熟儿及超低出生体重儿的监护管理,及早发现、及早处理各种并发症,防止医院感染发生,是提高两者存活率,改善生活质量的根本措施.     

极低/超低出生体重儿甲状腺功能减退的临床分析

目的 分析极低/超低出生体重（VLBW/ELBW）患儿甲状腺功能减退的危险因素和治疗情况。方法 选择2018年9月至2019年12月诊断为甲状腺功能减退的VLBW/ELBW患儿为病例组（n=29）,按照1：3比例匹配甲状腺功能正常的VLBW/ELBW患儿作为对照组（n=87）,比较两组患儿的临床特征,分析甲状腺功能与出生胎龄、出生体重的相关性及甲状腺功能减退的危险因素。结果 符合纳入标准的VLBW/ELBW患儿共162例,其中病例组29例,甲状腺功能减退发生率为17.9%。出生体重越低,甲状腺功能减退发生率越高（P < 0.05）;三碘甲状腺原氨酸（T3）、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸（FT3）与出生胎龄呈正相关（P < 0.05）,T3、游离甲状腺素（FT4）与出生体重呈正相关（P < 0.05）。小于胎龄儿、多胎、孕母≥35岁、使用多巴胺是发生甲状腺功能减退的独立危险因素（P < 0.05）。病例组中16例患儿给予左旋甲状腺素（每日5~10 μg/kg）治疗,甲状腺功能在治疗2周后恢复正常。结论 VLBW/ELBW患儿甲状腺功能减退的发生率较高,小于胎龄儿、多胎、孕母高龄、应用多巴胺是其发生甲状腺功能减退的危险因素,应用左旋甲状腺素治疗的患儿需定期随访,以保证用药剂量适宜。     

Risk factors for intraventricular haemorrhage in very low birth weight infants

Objective: In a prospective study at Uludag University Hospital, 120 premature infants with birthweights of 1500 g or less were screened for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) using cranial ultrasound. With the purpose of studying the incidence of IVH, the associated risk factors for these neonates were considered.Methods : We studied all the very low birth weight infants admitted in our neonatal unit. We examined the following variables as risk factors for IVH: sex, birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score, mechanichal ventilation, hypercapnia, use of antenatal steroids, tocolytic drugs, vaginalversus cesarean section delivery, and inbornversus outborn status, vasopressor infusion (any vasoactive drug such as dopamine, dobutamine, or epinephrine) not associated with resuscitation, and surfactant administration.Results :The incidence of IVH was 15% (18/120), 50% grade I (9/18), 17% grade II (3/18), 11 % grade III (2/18), and 22% grade IV (4/18). IVH occurred mainly in the first week of life (78%; 14/18). The significant risk factors for IVH were found to be prematurity, outborn status, low 5 minute Apgar score, vaginal delivery, hypercapnia, mechanical ventilation, hypotension, and use of vasopressors on the day of admission. Significant protective factors against IVH included antenatal steroid therapy, cesarean section, magnesium sulfate tocolysis, increasing gestational age, and increasing birth weight.Conclusion: Our results concur with the notion that a tertiary center is the optimal location for delivery of the high risk neonate. Transportation of infantsin utero to a perinatal center specializing in high risk-deliveries results in a decreased incidence of IVH when compared to infants transported postnatally. Aggressive resuscitation, with avoidance of hypercarbia, and rapid restoration of hypovolemia could potentially reduce the incidence of PVH/IVH     

Follow up of low birth weight infants

Conclusion Considerable reduction in mortality of low birth weight infants over the past two decades has been achieved in developed countries without an increase in the prevalence of major h andicaps in the survivors. In the 1980’s overall prognosis for infants above 800 gm birth weight remains good. Continued efforts for improved perinatal and neonatal care can be expected to further reduce the risk of premature birth. Worldwise effort for improved care of the pregnant women and the newborn can be expected to result in similar advances for infant survival and improved child health.     

Care of very low birth weight infants with respiratory distress syndrome: an evidence-based review

Since 1959, when it was reported that many preterm infants had surfactant deficiency, there has been a remarkable improvement in the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and in the care of infants who develop RDS. Antenatal corticosteroids and surfactant replacement have improved the care of very low birth weight infants.     

Listeriosis in the newborn infant: improved prognosis due to early detection

Perinatal clinical data were collected retrospectively from 35 newborn infants infected with Listeria monocytogenes and compared with the subsequent outcome. The average annual incidence of neonatal listeriosis in the Canton of Zurich (Switzerland) between 1983 and 1987 was 0.33 per 1000, which is more than twice that during the preceding 10 years. This increase paralleled a similar outbreak in the French part of Switzerland, where contaminated soft cheese was found to be the source. Three infants were probably cross-infected in the delivery room. Antenatal symptoms included fever in the mother, greenstained amniotic fluid, pathological cardiotocogram, premature contractions and disappearance of fetal movements. After birth the infants showed respiratory distress, fever or hypothermia, exanthema or neurological abnormalities. A gram stain of the gastric content was highly accurate in predicting listeria infection (92% sensitivity, 90% specificity). Five infants died, all within 24 h of birth; seven infants survived with and 23 without, sequelae. Factors associated with fatal outcome were a short gestational age, a low birth weight and a long interval between onset of symptoms and delivery or first dose of an appropriate antibiotic. Cephalosporins were not effective in four infants and therefore should not be given alone to pregnant women and newborn infants as long as Listeria monocytogenes infection is not excluded.     

Early prognostic indicators of outcome in infants with neonatal cerebral infarction: a clinical, electroencephalogram, and magnetic resonance imaging study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors in newborns with cerebral infarction. DESIGN: Antenatal and perinatal factors and early clinical, electroencephalogram (EEG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were compared with neurodevelopmental outcome in 24 children with evidence of cerebral infarction on neonatal MRI. RESULTS: Out of 24 infants, 19 had an infarction in the territory of a major cerebral vessel and 5 in the borderzone between cerebral arteries. Neuromotor outcome was normal in 17 and abnormal in 7 infants. Of these 7 infants, 5 infants showed a definite hemiplegia, whereas the other 2 showed some asymmetry of tone or function but no definite hemiplegia. None of the adverse antenatal or perinatal factors was significantly associated with abnormal outcome. Neonatal clinical examination was also not always predictive of the outcome. The extent of the lesion on MRI was a better predictor. In particular, it was the concomitant involvement of hemisphere, internal capsule and basal ganglia that was always associated with an abnormal outcome whereas the involvement of only one or two of the three tended to be associated with a normal outcome. EEG was also very helpful. Abnormal background activity either unilateral or bilateral was found in 6 infants and 5 out of 6 developed hemiplegia. In contrast, the presence of seizure activity in presence of a normal background was not related to abnormal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Early MRI and EEG can help to identify the infants with cerebral infarction who are likely to develop hemiplegia.     

Disparate black and white neonatal mortality rates among infants of normal birth weight in Chicago: a population study.

To determine the extent to which disparities in risk status and access to tertiary care affect racial differences in neonatal mortality rates among normal birth weight infants, we conducted a vital records study concerning normal weight black (N = 44,399) and white (N = 48,146) singleton births in Chicago. Neonatal mortality rate among black infants was twice that among white infants (3.3 deaths per 1000 births vs 1.5 deaths per 1000 births); the unadjusted black relative risk equaled 2.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 2.9). Because prematurity, growth retardation, congenital anomalies, low Apgar scores at 5 minutes, teenage mothers, and poverty were more common among black infants, multivariate analyses were performed. The disparity in mortality rate was greatest between black and white infants with none of these risk factors; relative risk for black infants equaled 3.6 (95% confidence interval, 2.0 to 6.7). Approximately 30% of all deaths of black infants were attributable to birth in nontertiary hospitals. When the confounding variables, including hospital of birth, were put into a multivariate logistic-regression model, the adjusted relative risk estimate (odds ratio) for black infants equaled 1.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 2.0). Traditional risk factors fail to explain the racial disparity in neonatal mortality rate among normal birth weight infants. Level of perinatal care available, or some factor closely related to this level, is an important determinant of neonatal chance of survival for normal birth weight urban black infants.     

Prolonged ventilation and intact survival in very low birth weight infants

A requirement for prolonged ventilation (>28 days) has been associated with a poor outcome in infants. We postulated that in the present population of infants who usually receive antenatal steroids and post-natal surfactant, prolonged ventilation in discrete episodes, i.e. discontinuous intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV), would have a better outcome than a requirement for prolonged ventilation continuously from birth (continuous IPPV) and, in addition, that an abnormal ultrasound scan appearance would be a reliable predictor of poor outcome in infants requiring prolonged ventilation. All very low birth weight (VLBW) infants ventilated for at least 28 days (prolonged ventilation) were identified from a prospectively maintained database. At 1 year of age, neurodevelopmental status was assessed and abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome diagnosed if the infant's Griffiths developmental quotient was at least two standard deviations below the mean and/or they had impairment with disability. Of 417 VLBW infants, 41 required prolonged ventilation (30 continuous and 11 discontinuous). In the continuous IPPV group, 18 and one in the discontinuous IPPV group died or had abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome ( P<0.01). All eight infants with major cranial ultrasound abnormalities died or had abnormal outcome ( P<0.01). CONCLUSION: prolonged ventilation can be associated with intact survival, but not in very low birth weight infants with evidence of significant brain injury.     

Population-based study of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very low birth weight infants in Switzerland

In Switzerland, data are collected prospectively by collaborators from all nine neonatal intensive care units and their affiliated paediatric units caring for neonates, to determine survival and (pulmonary) outcome of infants with birth weights ranging from 501 to 1500 g. To assess the pulmonary outcome of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in Switzerland in 1996 and 2000, factors associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were identified and compared with pulmonary outcomes from the Vermont Oxford Network data. BPD was defined as a requirement for supplemental oxygen at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Complete data were available for 600 and 636 VLBW infants in 1996 and in 2000, respectively. Mortality rates in Switzerland were significantly higher (1996: 19.2%, 2000: 20.8%) than in the Vermont Oxford Network (1996: 14%, 2000: 14%). Expressed as percentage of infants still hospitalised at 36 weeks postmenstrual age, 16.7% and 13.2% of Swiss VLBW infants were diagnosed with BPD in 1996 and 2000, respectively. These rates were significantly lower than in the Vermont Oxford Network (1996: 28%, 2000: 35%). Infants exposed to factors previously shown to be associated with BPD were investigated: in Switzerland, infants with a history of surfactant replacement therapy and/or mechanical ventilation had a significantly higher rate of BPD in both cohorts. Infants with postnatal transport, sepsis proven by positive blood culture and patent ductus arteriosus had a higher BPD rate only in the 1996 cohort. Between 1996 and 2000, mortality rates and incidence of BPD in VLBW infants remained unchanged in Switzerland. BPD rates in Switzerland are lower than those found in the Vermont Oxford Network whereas a mortality rate comparison displays an inverted picture. We suspect that these effects are interrelated and may be due in part to a selective approach of Swiss neonatologists to resuscitation of infants in the smallest birth weight stratum. Conclusion:The factors listed above have apparently become less important in the context of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and other influences, including prenatal conditions, will need to be investigated.     

Antenatal dexamethasone and renal vascular resistance in preterm infants

OBJECTIVE: To compare vascular resistance, renal volume and insulin levels in preterm infants with and without antenatal steroids. METHODS: We studied 61 preterm infants (37 with (group A) and 24 without antecedent of antenatal steroids (group B)). We measured insulin levels at birth in cord blood samples. Ultrasound measurements to evaluate renal arteries resistance index and renal volume were performed during the first 72 h of birth. RESULTS: Preterm infants from group A tended to have lower weight and gestational age than those from group B. Resistance index in renal arteries was lower in preterm infants with steroid therapy compared with group B (right renal artery 0.73 vs. 0.80; P=0.001, and left renal artery 0.75 vs. 0.79; P=0.01, respectively). Renal volume and insulin levels were not different between the groups. In the multiple regression analysis for factors associated with resistance index of renal arteries, only antenatal steroids use was included in the model (R2=0.13; P=0.003 and R2=0.10; P=0.01 for left and right renal arteries, respectively). CONCLUSION: Antenatal dexamethasone in preterm infants during the first 72 h of birth seems to decrease resistance index in renal arteries without affecting renal volume and insulin levels.     

极早产儿存活率和并发症的多中心回顾性研究

目的 研究极早产儿存活率和严重并发症发生情况,并分析其影响因素。 方法 回顾性收集2018年1月至2019年12月江苏省11家医院新生儿科收治的极早产儿（胎龄<32周）的一般资料,分析其存活率和严重并发症发生情况,采用多因素logistic回归分析评估极早产儿死亡和严重并发症发生的危险因素。 结果 共纳入极早产儿2 339例,其中存活2 010例（85.93%）,无严重并发症存活1 507例（64.43%）。胎龄22~25⁺⁶周、26~26⁺⁶周、27~27⁺⁶周、28~28⁺⁶周、29~29⁺⁶周、30~30⁺⁶周、31~31⁺⁶周各组极早产儿存活率分别是32.5%、60.6%、68.0%、82.9%、90.1%、92.3%、94.8%,随着胎龄增加,存活率呈升高趋势（P<0.05）;相同胎龄分组下无严重并发症存活率分别是7.5%、18.1%、34.5%、52.2%、66.7%、75.7%、81.8%,随着胎龄增加,无严重并发症存活率呈升高趋势（P<0.05）。多因素logistic回归分析显示,胎龄大、出生体重大、母亲产前使用糖皮质激素是极早产儿死亡的保护因素（P<0.05）,而1 min Apgar评分≤3分是极早产儿死亡的危险因素（P<0.05）;胎龄大、出生体重大是存活极早产儿发生严重并发症的保护因素（P<0.05）,而5 min Apgar评分≤3分、母亲绒毛膜羊膜炎是存活极早产儿发生严重并发症的危险因素（P<0.05）。 结论 极早产儿存活率与胎龄密切相关。1 min Apgar评分≤3分可增加极早产儿死亡的风险,而胎龄大、出生体重大、母亲产前使用糖皮质激素与死亡风险降低有关。5 min Apgar评分≤3分和母亲绒毛膜羊膜炎可增加极早产儿严重并发症发生的风险,而胎龄大、出生体重大可降低严重并发症发生的风险。     

The Premature Infants in Need of Transfusion (PINT) study: a randomized, controlled trial of a restrictive (low) versus liberal (high) transfusion threshold for extremely low birth weight infants

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW) transfused at lower hemoglobin thresholds versus higher thresholds have different rates of survival or morbidity at discharge. STUDY DESIGN: Infants weighing <1000 g birth weight were randomly assigned within 48 hours of birth to a transfusion algorithm of either low or high hemoglobin transfusion thresholds. The composite primary outcome was death before home discharge or survival with any of either severe retinopathy, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or brain injury on cranial ultrasound. Morbidity outcomes were assessed, blinded to allocation. RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-one infants were randomly assigned to low (n = 223) or high (n = 228) hemoglobin thresholds. Groups were similar, with mean birth weight of 770 g and gestational age of 26 weeks. Fewer infants received one or more transfusions in the low threshold group (89% low versus 95% high, P = .037). Rates of the primary outcome were 74.0% in the low threshold group and 69.7% in the high (P = .25; risk difference, 2.7%; 95% CI -3.7% to 9.2%). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in any secondary outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In extremely low birth weight infants, maintaining a higher hemoglobin level results in more infants receiving transfusions but confers little evidence of benefit.     

胎龄≤32周早产儿低血糖的危险因素分析

目的 探讨胎龄≤32周早产儿出生后发生低血糖的危险因素。方法 回顾性纳入2017年1月至2020年6月入住新生儿重症监护病房的86例胎龄≤32周低血糖早产儿作为低血糖组,随机选取同期住院监测血糖正常的早产儿172例为对照组。采用单因素分析与多因素logistic回归分析筛选早产儿低血糖的危险因素。结果 研究期间早产儿共计515例,其中低血糖86例（16.7%）。低血糖组小于胎龄儿（SGA）、剖宫产出生、孕母高血压、产前使用激素的比例均高于对照组（P < 0.05）,而出生体重及血糖检测前已静脉使用葡萄糖的比例均低于对照组（P < 0.05）。SGA（OR=4.311,95% CI：1.285~14.462）、孕母高血压（OR=2.469,95% CI：1.310~4.652）和产前使用激素（OR=6.337,95% CI：1.430~28.095）为早产儿低血糖的危险因素（P < 0.05）,静脉使用葡萄糖（OR=0.318,95% CI：0.171~0.591）为早产儿低血糖的保护因素（P < 0.05）。结论 SGA、孕母高血压和产前使用激素可增加胎龄≤32周早产儿早期发生低血糖的风险;对胎龄≤32周早产儿,建议生后尽早静脉使用葡萄糖,以减少低血糖的发生。     

Obstetrical and neonatal risk factors in very low birth weight infants related to their neurological development

An analysis of pre- and perinatal risks in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants showed that children later suffering from severe neurodevelopmental sequelae were exposed to a significantly higher number of risk factors compared to normally developed VLBW controls. This was not only due to a higher incidence of specific risks, but to the accumulation of risk factors, which consequently made an ischaemic or haemorrhagic brain lesion more likely to occur. This result suggests that brain lesions in VLBW infants are essentially multifactorial. The improved outcome of VLBW infants cared for in the NICU of the Children's Hospital of Tübingen during 1977–1983 was accompanied by a decreasing incidence of obstetrical and neonatal risks. This was mainly due to more frequent transport in utero, earlier obstetrical intervention, and immediate postnatal stabilization of the infant's condition. These changes in perinatal care strategy evidently favoured the postnatal course and thus also improved the neurodevelopmental outcome.Abbreviations VLBW very low birth weight - NICU neonatal intensive care unit - ICH intracranial haemorrhage - IVH intraventricular haemorrhage - CSF cerebrospinal fluid     

Trends in incidence of cranial ultrasound lesions and cerebral palsy in very low birthweight infants 1982-93.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of changing perinatal practice on outcome in terms of cranial ultrasound appearances and subsequent cerebral palsy rates in survivors. METHODS: A tertiary neonatal centre based prospective cohort study was undertaken of very low birthweight infants, in three 4 year periods: 1982-5, 1986-9, 1990-3. Rates of survival, parenchymal cerebral haemorrhage (PH), and leucomalacia on cerebral ultrasound scans, and cerebral palsy (CP) at the age of 3 years were compared. Antenatal steroid prophylaxis and postnatal surfactant use were also compared. RESULTS: VLBW infants (1722) were admitted over the 12 years, of whom 1268 (73.6%) were discharged home. Neonatal survival increased significantly over the three periods (69.2%, 72.9%, 79.7%; p < 0.0001). PH declined from 14.9% to 10.5% (p = 0.032) after 1990 as did CP rate (10.9% to 7.3%; p = 0.046). The use of antenatal steroids and postnatal surfactant greatly increased during this period. Steroid use was significantly associated with increased survival (OR 3.34, 2.31-4.79), decreased PH (OR 0.44, 0.28-0.71), and decreased risk of CP in survivors (OR 0.47, 0.27-0.81) after standardising for gestation, birthweight, sex, place and mode of delivery. Similar effects for surfactant did not remain significant after steroid use had been accounted for. CONCLUSION: Improved survival in VLBW infants since 1990 has been accompanied by a fall in PH and subsequent CP rates in survivors. This change is most likely to be due to the greater use of antenatal steroid prophylaxis.