05/12/2012

Survival Rates Of Premature Babies Increase

More babies born before 26 weeks are surviving, according to a detailed analysis of the figures for England.

Severely premature babies were more likely to survive in 2006 than in 1995, the EPICure study found.

There was, however, no improvement before 24 weeks - which is the legal limit for abortion.

The figures, published in the British Medical Journal, also indicate the odds of severe disability have not changed.

The EPICure studies, funding by the Medical Research Council, looked at premature babies born in hospitals throughout England in 1995 and 2006. Researchers expect the findings would apply equally across the UK.

The data for 2006 showed that 53% of babies born between 22 and 25 weeks and admitted to intensive care lived and were sent home. The figure for 1995 was 40%.

However, there was no improvement in survival at 22 and 23 weeks - which is before the abortion limit in England, Scotland and Wales.

Measures such as ensuring the newborn is kept warm and given steroids to help underdeveloped lungs are thought to have improved care.

(H)


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