Frequency, causes and avoidability of outborn births in a French regional perinatal network.

Objectives: To evaluate the rate and circumstances of outborn deliveries within a French perinatal network, and to determine their avoidability.

Study Design: Cohort study including preterm infants <33 weeks gestation and/or weighing <1500g born outside a level III maternity unit in Lower Normandy region, France, in 2008-2010. In 2008 and 2009, only neonates transferred to the Caen University Teaching Hospital (CHU) were included.