Objectives: The primary aim of the present study was to investigate the survival rates of periviable births in a referral Level III NICU center in Turkey; the secondary aim was to determine the perinatal and natal risk factors related to mortality.Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2015. All live deliveries occurring from 22 0/7 weeks to 25 6/7 week of gestation were included in the study (total n = 165). We documented prenatal, natal, and postnatal clinical processes in each case and assessed morbidity, mortality, and factors related to long-term prognosis.Results: While none of the infants born at 22 weeks of gestation survived until discharge, the survival rates for those admitted to the NICU were 7.5% for infants born at 23 weeks, 29.1% at 24 weeks, and 43.5% at 25 weeks. A total of 46 survived (27.9%), and follow-up data beyond 12 months were available for 22. The prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment or neurosensory impairment was inversely associated with gestational age.Conclusions: The most important risk factors associated with mortality in periviable infants were SNAPPE score, antenatal corticosteroid use, and gestational age.
Keywords: Extremely premature; infant; risk factors; survival rate.