Abstract
Context: Studies show that birth in a maternity unit with onsite neonatal intensive care (often labelled level III unit) improves survival for very preterm babies. This analysis explores the organisational characteristics of neonatal units that care for very preterm babies in 10 European regions.
Methods: Study of neonatal units (n=112) in the ten European regions in the MOSAIC study (1) which admitted 5 or more babies <32 weeks for their first consecutive 48 hours in 2003 (primary admissions). Structured questionnaires recorded Unit characteristics.
Results: Annual primary admissions of babies <32 weeks varied from 5 to 310 (median 34) and 63% of units had fewer than 50. Smaller units ranged from 75–80% of units in Lazio (Italy) and the Northern Region (Portugal) to 25% in Flanders (Belgium). NIC cots varied from 0 to 35. 75% of units had a physician on site at night (25% to 100% by region). Among locally defined level III units, variability was as marked: < 32 weeks admissions ranged from 5 to 310 and 36% had fewer than 50 (range: 75% in the Italian and Portuguese regions to 0% in the regions in Poland, the Netherlands and Denmark). These units had between 2 and 35 NIC cots; 21% had <5 cots; 86% had a physician on-site at night (59% a neonatologist, 27% a doctor in-training).
Conclusions: Characteristics of neonatal units were highly variable both within and between regions. Studies comparing outcome by locally defined levels of care need to consider differences in the organisation of neonatal care. 1. Eur J Obstet Gynecol reprod biol 2005;118:272–4
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zeitlin, J. 430 Characteristics of Neonatal units that care for Very Preterm Babies in Europe. Results from the Mosaic Study. Pediatr Res 58, 428 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00459
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00459