[At the limits of viability: Dutch referral policy for premature birth too reserved].

Objective: Evaluation of policy and treatment of deliveries at the limits of viability in the Netherlands and resulting survival figures.

Design: Cohort study.

Method: Within the framework of the European 'Models of organising access to intensive care for very preterm births in Europe' (MOSAIC) study, data was collected on all 512 births in 2003 (terminations excluded) following 22-31 weeks gestation in the catchment areas of the perinatal centres in Nijmegen and Utrecht, the Netherlands.