Revista de Saúde e Informática Médica

Improved Outcome of Infants Born at less than 24 Weeks of Gestation in Japan

Abstract

Hiroshi Nishida*

Japan neonatologist association had surveyed of survival rates of infants less than 24 weeks of gestation born during 1995 to 2001 and during 2002 to 2004. There was no survival on 20th and 21st weeks of gestations, while survival rates of 22 and 23 weeks had increased from 18% to 31% and 43% to 56% respectively between two studies time periods. Their follow up data at 5 years old reviled as follows; rates of cerebral palsy (CP) with/without mental retardation (MR), MR only, blindness and infants of any aforementioned neurological sequels were 17%, 26%, 8% and 44%, respectively. Main causes of death of these infants are mostly due to extreme prematurity including fragile skin and immature immunity. To improve the outcome of infants at 22 to 23 weeks of gestation, meticulous and gentle care is essential while knowing the viability limit based on their up-to-date statistics.