Opinions on the counselling, care and outcome of extremely premature birth among healthcare professionals in Finland.

AIM: To study the opinions of paediatric and obstetric personnel on the perinatal treatment and delivery outcome of infants from 22(+0) to 27(+6)  weeks' gestation.

METHODS

An email questionnaire was sent to 2963 professionals in 32 maternity hospitals in Finland.

RESULTS

The questionnaire survey was completed by 856 (28%) professionals in 30 hospitals. Opinions on outcome were most pessimistic if the infant was very premature. More than a third (37%) assumed no survival at the earliest gestational age, but none dismissed the possibility at 26 weeks' gestation. Paediatric professionals took a more active approach to the treatment of a premature birth and baby than obstetric personnel. Opinions on treatment activity were based firstly on what was best for the baby and secondly on experience. Gynaecologists reported discussing matters regarding premature birth with the parents more often than paediatricians and were much more likely to be influenced by these discussions.

CONCLUSION

Paediatric personnel showed a more positive attitude and a more active approach to extremely premature deliveries and babies than obstetric personnel. There would appear to be some inconsistency between prenatal counselling and treatment activity after birth at the limit of viability.