Outcomes of Infants Born at 21 Weeks’ Gestational Age

What are the outcomes of infants born alive at 21 weeks’ gestational age in a center that attempts resuscitation in selected cases?In this case series of 22 infants born alive at 21 weeks’ gestational age, resuscitation was attempted in 17 infants during the study period. Of these, 6 (35%) survived to discharge, and none required tracheostomy or neurosurgical intervention.These findings suggest that some infants born at 21 weeks’ gestational age can survive, some with minimal morbidities, and that prospective study and outcome reporting may be warranted in this population.

Corresponding Author: Patrick J. McNamara, MB, BCh, MSc(Paeds), Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, IA 52242 (patrick-mcnamara@uiowa.edu).

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