Trends in outcomes for very preterm infants in the southern region of Sweden over a 10-year period

Aim: To investigate trends in mortality and morbidity in very preterm infants. Methods: Population-based perinatal register; liveborn infants 22 + 0 to 31 + 6 gestational weeks were investigated (time period 1995-2004). Time trends for mortality and common morbidities were explored using logistic regression analyses. Results: Data from 1614 liveborn infants were included. There was an increase in live born infants below 25 gestational weeks, annual odds ratio (OR) 1.15 (95% CI: 1.08-1.23) and a decrease in mortality annual OR 0.82 (95% CI: 0.69-0.98). The rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and sepsis increased during the study period, annual ORs of 1.10 (95% CI: 1.04-1.17) and 1.09 (95% CI: 1.03-1.16). The duration of mechanical ventilation increased for surviving infants < 25 gestational weeks (p = 0.003), while the duration of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) increased for infants < 28 gestational weeks (p = < 0.001). There were no changes in the rates of intraventricular haemorrhages (IVH, 3-4), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP, 3-5), seizures or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Conclusion: During the 10-year period changes in mortality and morbidity were most pronounced for infants with GA < 28 gestational weeks. The increasing rate of sepsis was present in infants < 28 gestational weeks, whereas the increase in BPD was demonstrated in the whole study population < 32 gestational weeks.