SPSP Perinatal Programme Preterm Perinatal Wellbeing Package (PPWP) resources 2019

Many well-established interventions have shown improvements in outcomes for babies born prematurely. This is shown in both short- and long-term outcomes. As well as a significant reduction in mortality, these interventions reduce important morbidities .

Short term improvements

In the short term, these include:

  • intraventricular haemorrhage
  • preterm lung disease
  • sepsis
  • necrotising enterocolitis in the short term

Long term improvements

In the long term, it includes:

  • reduced cerebral palsy
  • improved neurological outcomes

Six process measures

The package is designed for maternity and neonatal colleagues to work in collaboration on the seven process measures.

  • 1. The smallest and most preterm babies (< 27 weeks) should deliver in a centre with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (level 3).
  • 2. All mothers of infants born < 30 weeks should be given Magnesium Sulphate antenatally within 24 hours of delivery.
  • 3. All mothers of infants born < 34 weeks should be given antenatal steroids within 1 week of birth, and ideally greater than 24 hours before delivery.
  • 4. Optimal cord clamping (≥ 60 seconds) should be carried out for all infants < 34 weeks unless specifically contraindicated, e.g. no signs of life, Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, evidence of major placental separation.
  • 5. Babies should reach an admission temperature of 36.5-37.5 °C within 1 hour of birth (< 34 weeks gestation as per NNAP),
  • 6. Mothers own breast milk should be given to all infants < 34 weeks either as mouth care or enterally, within 24 hours of birth.

Further reading

Both these documents are on our ihub archive site.