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Despite improved survival of extremely preterm infants born at <28 weeks gestational age (GA) since the 1990s, only few reports on long-term outcomes have been published. The aim of our study was to determine risk factors among mothers and outcomes for their children born at the limit of viability (GA 22 + 0 - 23 + 6 weeks) at the Karolinska university hospital in 2009-19, before and after the introduction of new national interventionist guidelines in 2016. We hypothesized that infant survival, morbidity and cognitive functions at 2 years' corrected age had improved after the new clinical practice. Maternal risk factors were identified, which emphasize the need of standardized follow-up and counseling for women at increased risk of extreme preterm birth. The intrauterine fetal death rates were unchanged. Among births at 22 weeks, the neonatal mortality tended to decrease 96 vs. 76 percent of live births (p = 0,05), and the 2-year survival tended to increase 4 vs 24 percent (p = 0,05). At 23 weeks, the neonatal mortality decreased 56 vs 27 percent of live births (p = 0,01), and the 2-year survival increased 42 vs 64 percent (p = 0,03). In contrast, the morbidity and cognitive disability at 2 years' corrected age were unchanged. Our results were in accordance with previous reports where no substantial improvement in cognitive functions are reported among infants born at GA <24 weeks since the 1990s. They highlight the importance of comprehensive ethical considerations before active interventions at threatening preterm birth < 24 weeks.

Children born before 24 gestational weeks had high neonatal morbidity and a majority had one or more neurodevelopmental disorders in addition to somatic diagnoses in childhood. Active Swedish perinatal care of infants with gestational age <24 weeks has resulted in a survival rate of more than 50 percent. Resuscitation of these immature infants is controversial, and some countries offer comfort care only. In a retrospective review of medical files and registries of 399 Swedish infants born before 24 gestational weeks, a majority had severe prematurity-related neonatal diagnoses. In childhood (2-13 years), 75 percent had at least one neurodevelopmental disorder and 88 percent had one or more prematurity-related somatic diagnosis (permanent or transient) that was likely to affect their quality of life. Long-term consequences for surviving infants should be considered in general recommendations as well as in parental information.