Preterm Infants 30–36 Weeks' Gestation in Victoria — Where Should They Be Delivered?

Summary: There is little doubt that very preterm infants <30 weeks' gestation should be born in level‐3 perinatal centres. For preterm infants 30–36 weeks' gestation, however, the optimum place of birth is not so clear‐cut. The aims of this study of livebirths 30–36 weeks' gestational age born in Victoria were to determine: 1) the proportions delivered outside level‐3 centres, and 2) for infants born outside level‐3 centres, the proportions transferred after birth to a level‐3 nursery in the first days after birth. Data on the number of livebirths 30–36 weeks' gestational age in Victoria in the 3 years 1994–1996, inclusive, were supplied by the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit. Data were obtained from the Newborn Emergency Transport Service (NETS) on all transfers within the first 3 days after birth to a level‐3 centre for infants born outside level‐3 centres. For the 3 years 1994–1996 there were 11,375 livebirths 30–36 weeks' gestational age in Victoria. The proportion born outside a level‐3 perinatal unit was 57.9% overall, and rose with increasing gestational age, from 10.9% at 30 weeks to 69.0% at 36 weeks. Of the 6,587 livebirths outside a level‐3 centre, 808 (12.3%) were transferred within the first 3 days after birth by NETS to a level‐3 centre, the proportions falling with increasing maturity, being 73.7%, 48.5%, 28.4%, 26.9%, 18.8%, 11.8%, and 7.0% at 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 weeks, respectively. These data may help medical practitioners when determining the place of delivery for infants 30–36 weeks' gestation.