Background: Data describing outcomes of babies born before 26 completed weeks gestation are not available from large geographically defined populations. These data are essential to inform parents, guide doctors and plan services.

Subjects: Details of all births at 20 - 25 weeks were collected between 1 March - 31 December 1995. Clinical details and progress to Expected Date of Delivery (EDD) were recorded.

Interventions: No specific changes in clinical practice were made for the purposes of the study.

Results: 3781 births were recorded from 249 (95%) of 262 matemity hospitals. Admission rates for intensive care were 22, 50, and 61% of all births at 23, 24, and 25 weeks. Clinical data were available for 755 (94%) of admissions. Survival to EDD was 28, 35 and 54% of those admitted. Increased survival was associated with the use of ante-natal steroids, p<0.01, but not with Surfactant replacement. 54% of survivors were discharged before EDD, 17% had parenchymal cysts and/or hydrocephalus on the last ultrasound scan before EDD. The findings of ROP needing treatment (13%) and the need for oxygenation at EDD (50%) fell with increasing gestation, p<0.01.

Conclusions: These unique data provide a basis for predicting outcomes. Follow-up will provide valuable details about the health needs of the survivors.