NIH Branch Offers Calculator for Preemie Viability

The NIH's National Institute of Child Health and Human Development is offering a calculator to estimate the outcomes for very preterm infants, reports the NYT. The calculated outcomes are based on gestational age (22-25 weeks), birth weight (401-1000 g), sex (girls inexplicably fare better than boys), singleton or multiple birth status, and the mother's receipt of antenatal corticosteroids within 7 days of delivery (to boost infant-lung development). Outcomes are provided for all infants and those who receive mechanical ventilation and include chances of survival with various grades of anticipated neurologic impairment.

The calculator is based on a study of nearly 4500 very preterm infants at a network of hospitals and is intended to aid the decisions of healthcare workers and families regarding levels of care.