Comparisons of thresholds for resuscitation of ELBW infants and differences in parental counseling practices between obstetricians (OBs) and neonatologists (NEOs) have not been fully studied. Using published directories, we mailed surveys to 447 NEOs and 411 OBs in California regarding parental counseling practices and clinical management of ELBW infants.

Results: The respondents (263 NEOs and 163 OBs) had similar mean(±SEM) ages (NEOs 46 ± 1 vs OBs 45 ± 1 yrs) and years in practice (13 ± 1yrs, both groups). The majority of respondents were Caucasian (61% NEOs vs 63% OBs), male (65% NEOs vs 58% OBs), in private practice (55%, both groups), and in Level III hospitals (82% NEOs vs 66% OBs). Thresholds for delivery room (DR) resuscitation are shown:Table Attitudes on parental role in decision-making for DR resuscitation of premature infants differed by gestational age (GA):Table

Table 1
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Table 2
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Conclusions: Birthweight and GA thresholds for DR resuscitation are similar for NEOs and OBs. Compared to OBs, NEOs less frequently support a parental role in decisions to resuscitate older premature infants, and more likely to support a parental role in younger premature infants.