Work

TRANSFER: ThReatened preterm birth, assessment of the need for in-utero tranSFER between 22 + 0–23 + 6 weeks’ gestation, a multicentre prospective service evaluation across the United Kingdom

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: TRANSFER was established following updated guidance from British Association of Perinatal Medicine, suggesting offering survival focussed care from 22 + 0 weeks' gestation. The number of women presenting with threatened preterm birth at this gestation is unknown; essential data to facilitate adequate service provision and planning for UK perinatal services. OBJECTIVES: To identify women presenting with threatened preterm birth between 22 + 0-23 + 6 weeks' gestation across the UK and determine the number presenting ou + tside an obstetric unit with a Level 3 NICU. Record the number of in-utero transfers of women presenting between 22 + 0--23 + 6 weeks' gestation and determine the number of women who deliver prior to 24 weeks' gestation in units without a Level 3 NICU. DESIGN: Multicentre prospective service evaluation. SETTING: 90 UK maternity units. PATIENTS: Women presenting with threatened preterm birth between 22 + 0-23 + 6 weeks' gestation between 17/5/21-30/6/22. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of women presenting in each geographical region, need for in utero transfer, length of antenatal hospital stay and use of biomarkers to predict preterm birth. RESULTS: Between 22 + 0-23 + 6 weeks' gestation: 1. 511 women presented with threatened preterm birth to UK obstetric units. 2. 286 (56%) women presented to obstetric units without level 3 NICU. 3. 217 (76%) women required transfer. 4. 41 (8%) women delivered in a unit without a Level 3 NICU (10 (24%) opted for survival focussed care). CONCLUSIONS: Women presenting with threatened preterm birth between 22 + 0-23 + 6 weeks gestation is higher than anticipated and is likely to be an under-representation of actual number of presentations.

Source: European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.03.030