Outcomes of Preterm Infants following Discussions about Withdrawal or Withholding of Life Support.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To describe the frequency of postnatal discussions about withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining therapy (WWLST), ensuing WWLST, and outcomes of infants surviving such discussions. We hypothesized that such survivors have poor outcomes.

Study design

This retrospective review included registry data from 18 centers of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. Infants born at 22-28 weeks of gestation who survived >12 hours during 2011-2013 were included. Regression analysis identified maternal and infant factors associated with WWLST discussions and factors predicting ensuing WWLST. In-hospital and 18- to 26-month outcomes were evaluated.

Results

WWLST discussions occurred in 529 (15.4%) of 3434 infants. These

SUBMITTER: James J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5690862 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature