Outcome for babies delivered in the neonatal unit in Edinburgh

Most babies who need admission to the neonatal unit do well. The length of time that a baby is in the unit will depend on the problems he has.

The term baby

There are many reasons why term babies may need to be admitted to the neonatal unit. For most of these babies their stay is, at most, a few days although how well they do will depend on the reason for admission. It is appreciated that parents are keen to be informed on how their baby's condition and treatment are progressing. Nursing and medical staff endeavour to keep parents up to date. Parents should not hesitate to ask any questions that they might have.

The baby born prematurely

As a general rule, a preterm baby will usually go home just before his expected date of delivery.  There are, however exceptions and some babies stay in the unit for several months. A baby's organs are all formed very early on in the pregnancy, but it is during the second half of the pregnancy that major organs such as the brain, lungs, heart and intestines mature and prepare for life in the 'outside world'. The earlier a baby is born the less mature and prepared his organs will be to cope with life outside his mother. In general, the earlier a baby is born the more likely he is to develop problems and the longer his stay will be.

Below are some figures on the outcome for babies who have been treated in the neonatal unit of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh over the past 3 years. When talking about outcome, 2 things are considered:

• how many of the babies survive
• how many babies are left with some long term problem (handicap)

Survival

Gestation of baby at birth (weeks)	Survival
if a baby is born at 23 weeks, the chance of survival is	37%
if a baby is born at 24 weeks, the chance of survival is	76%
if a baby is born at 25 weeks, the chance of survival is	79%
if a baby is born at 26 weeks, the chance of survival is	74%
if a baby is born at 27 weeks, the chance of survival is	90%
if a baby is born at 28 weeks, the chance of survival is	88%
if a baby is born between 29-32 wks, the chance of survival is	96%
if a baby is born between 32-36 wks, the chance of survival is	97%

Follow up of those who survive

Many of the babies discharged from the neonatal unit are seen regularly in the outpatient clinic. Their progress is carefully monitored.  In many cases the problems experienced by the child are mild, for example he may need to wear glasses. In a few babies, however, there are more serious problems, such as cerebral palsy. Children with cerebral palsy have problems with co-ordination and balance and sometimes with learning.  

The table below gives a guide to the number of babies, discharged home from the neonatal unit, who are normal (that is without any disability or learning difficulties) at 2 years of age.

Gestation of baby at birth (weeks)	Normal at 2 years
babies born between 23-25 wks, chance of being normal at 2 years is	69%
babies born between 26-28 wks, chance of being normal at 2 years is	80%
babies born between 29-32 wks, chance of being normal at 2 years is	82%
babies born between 33-36 wks, chance of being normal at 2 years is	83%