PERFECT preterm infant study.

Introduction: This article summarizes the main findings of the preterm infant sub-study of the Performance, Effectiveness and Costs of Treatment episodes (PERFECT) study. We studied effects of birth hospital level and time of birth on mortality and morbidity and cost-effectiveness of care of very low gestational age (VLGA)/very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

Material And Methods: The study included all infants born below 32 weeks or 1501 g in Finland in 2000-2007.

Hospital costs and quality of life during 4 years after very preterm birth.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of gestational age and prematurity-related morbidities on hospital costs and cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) during the first 4 years of life.

Design: Population-based study using national register data and parental questionnaires.

Setting: Finland.

Impact of very preterm birth on health care costs at five years of age.

Objective: We assessed the effects of very preterm birth (gestational age <32 weeks or birth weight <1501 g) and prematurity-related morbidities on health care costs during the fifth year of life.

Methods: The study population consisted of 588 very preterm children and 176 term control subjects born in 2001-2002. Costs of hospitalizations, visits to health care professionals and therapists, and the use of other social welfare services were assessed during the fifth year of life.

Development and behaviour of 5-year-old very low birthweight infants.

The place and time of birth influence the mortality of premature infants. We studied the effect of prematurity, time of birth, birth hospital level and district on the development and behaviour in a national cohort of 5-year-old Finnish very low birthweight infants (VLBWI). All surviving VLBWI (gestational age <32 weeks or birthweight View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Health and the use of health care services in 5-year-old very-low-birth-weight infants.

Aim: We aimed to study the effect of prematurity, time of birth and level of birth hospital on morbidity and the use of health care services at age 5.

Methods: This national study included all very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWI, <32 gestational weeks or birth weight < or =1500 g) born in Finnish level II or III hospitals in 2001-2002 (n = 918), and full-term controls (n = 381). Parental questionnaires and register data were used to compare morbidity, and the use of health care services between VLBWI and full-term controls, and within VLBWI according to the time of birth and birth hospital level.