Variation in follow-up for children born very preterm in Europe

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2023

Authors

Seppänen, AV (Author) Other; Barros H (Author) FMUP; Draper, ES (Author) Other; Petrou, S (Author) Other; Andronis, L (Author) Other; Kim, S (Author) Other; Maier, RF (Author) Other; Pedersen, P (Author) Other; Gadzinowski, J (Author) Other; Pierrat, V (Author) Other; Sarrechia, I (Author) Other; Lebeer, J (Author) Other; Adén, U (Author) Other; Toome, L (Author) Other; Thiele, N (Author) Other; van Heijst, A (Author) Other; Cuttini, M (Author) Other; Zeitlin, J (Author) Other

Journal

Title: European Journal of Public Health

Vol. 34

Pages: 91-100

ISSN: 1101-1262

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Z-JKC

DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad192

Abstract (EN): Background: Children born very preterm (<32 weeks of gestation) face high risks of neurodevelopmental and health difficulties compared with children born at term. Follow-up after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit is essential to ensure early detection and intervention, but data on policy approaches are sparse. Methods: We investigated the characteristics of follow-up policy and programmes in 11 European countries from 2011 to 2022 using healthcare informant questionnaires and the published/grey literature. We further explored how one aspect of follow-up, its recommended duration, may be reflected in the percent of parents reporting that their children are receiving follow-up services at 5 years of age in these countries using data from an area-based cohort of very preterm births in 2011/12 (N = 3635). Results: Between 2011/12 and 22, the number of countries with follow-up policies or programmes increased from 6 to 11. The policies and programmes were heterogeneous in eligibility criteria, duration and content. In countries that recommended longer follow-up, parent-reported follow-up rates at 5 years of age were higher, especially among the highest risk children, born <28 weeks' gestation or with birthweight <1000 g: between 42.1% and 70.1%, vs. <20% in most countries without recommendations. Conclusions: Large variations exist in follow-up policies and programmes for children born very preterm in Europe; differences in recommended duration translate into cross-country disparities in reported follow-up at 5 years of age.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10