The Epipage cohort in the Lorraine region

AIMS: The aim of the EPIPAGE survey is to study the future of very premature babies in France. This article describes the characteristics of the EPIPAGE cohort in Lorraine and the results in terms of early in-hospital mortality and morbidity. METHOD: The descriptive analysis concerns preterms born at [22-32] weeks (GP), LBW preterms (less than 1500 g) at > 33 weeks (H), and controls born at 33-34 weeks (T1) and at 39-40 weeks (T2) in Lorraine in 1997. RESULTS: The sample consists of 572 infants: 433 GP, 36 H, 34 T1, and 69 T2. In group GP, 30% are from multiple pregnancies. 140 infants were stillborn (44 MTP, 72 fetal deaths, 17 prepartum deaths). The survival rate of livebirths is 89%. 293 pre-terms were admitted to neonatal care units, 18 (6%) had a serious neurological condition (grade III-IV intraventricular haemorrhage, leucomalacia). The average stay was 60 +/- 33.8 days. The follow-up rate at two years is 88%. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation at 5 years will serve to determine the types of sequelae and family repercussions of the birth of a very preterm infant.