National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Maternal Fetal Medicine Units Network

MFMU Network Registry of Obstetrical
Determinants of Neonatal Survival

Related Publications & Presentations

Objective

To examine the effectiveness of using obstetrical prognostic factors to predict the survival of infants born weighing 1,000 grams or less.

Conclusion

The approach to obstetric management significantly influences the outcome of extremely low-birth-weight infants. Above 800 gm or 26 weeks, the OB should usually be willing to perform cesarean delivery for fetal indications. Between 22 and 25 weeks willingness to intervene results in greater likelihood of both intact survival with serious morbidity. In these cases patients and physicians should be aware of the impact of the approach to OB management and consider the likelihood of serious morbidity and mortality when formulating plans for delivery.

Clinical Centers

Magee Womens, Tennessee, Southern California, Alabama, Wayne State, Cincinnati, Oklahoma, Bowman Gray, Chicago, Ohio State, South Carolina

Major Eligibility Criteria

• Infants no more than 1,000 grams birthweight

Sample Size

• Goal = 630

Scheduled Evaluations/Data Collection

• Screening:
• L & D log book screened daily
• Active Enrollment List:
• Hospital records checked weekly on infants enrolled in study

Outcome Measures

• Primary:
• Neonatal mortality (measured by the earlier of discharge from the hospital or 120 days of survival)
• Secondary:
• Neonatal morbidity

Timetable

• Enrollment: 11/92-10/93
• Follow up: Thru 3/94