Study reveals gaps in life-saving antenatal treatments for premature babies

A new global analysis of two antenatal treatments that reduce the risk of cerebral palsy and respiratory complications in premature babies reveals significant international variation in implementation. The University of Bristol-led study, published in the International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology today [25 February], examined neonatal data from over 300,000 premature births across ten countries.

When a baby is born before 30 weeks of gestation, they have a higher risk of death or serious health challenges, including stroke, respiratory problems, and disabilities like cerebral palsy. Magnesium sulphate is a cost-effective treatment that, when given to the mother before a pre-term birth, can significantly reduce the risk of cerebral palsy in the baby. Similarly, antenatal steroids are crucial for maturing a preterm baby's lungs to improve their chances of survival.

Despite being recommended in clinical guidelines worldwide, this study highlights significant disparities in the administration of these life-saving treatments to mothers at risk of preterm birth.

Led by researchers from the University of Bristol's Medical School and the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), the study used neonatal birth data on 45,619 babies born prematurely (between 24–32 weeks' gestation) in 1,111 Vermont Oxford Network (VON) hospitals across ten countries: UK, Ireland, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, US, UAE, Brazil, South Africa, and India. The team conducted a further supplementary review of ten studies that included data on 288,631 pre-term babies, and a comparison of the VON data against the wider population of English data from the UK National Neonatal Research Database.

The results revealed stark contrasts in the use of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). Countries like Ireland and the UK had high administration rates (over 80%), while South Africa and the UAE had much lower rates, at 33.6% and 44.5%, respectively. In contrast, antenatal corticosteroids (ANS) were used more consistently across countries, with less variation.

Significant income-related disparities were also uncovered. Higher-income countries averaged 74.8% MgSO4 implementation compared to just 49.4% in middle-income countries. Concerningly, this equity gap has not narrowed over time. The supplementary review found treatment rates similar to those in the VON cohort.

The study concludes that there is considerable variation in the use of these interventions globally, with much lower uptake in middle income countries. It calls for further research to understand the reasons for these disparities and to improve the global equity of these essential antenatal treatments.

Our study has highlighted the international disparities in how two key treatments to protect pre-term babies are implemented. These gaps aren't because of a lack of evidence.

Lessons can be learned from successful implementation programmes like PReCePT, which has transformed use of magnesium sulphate in pre-term births in England. The bigger-picture goal now should be to ensure that no matter where a baby is born, their mother has access to the evidence-based treatments that offer the best start in life."

Hannah Edwards, Senior Research Associate in Medical Statistics at the University of Bristol and ARC West

Karen Luyt, PReCePT national clinical lead and Professor of Neonatal Medicine at the University of Bristol, added: "This work highlights the power of international collaboration to achieve health equity for mothers and babies everywhere.

"At the moment, the use of MgSO₄ to prevent cerebral palsy in pre-term infants is not equitable around the world. Our PReCePT blueprint for successful implementation of this life changing medication will be useful for accelerating use into routine clinical practice across international healthcare systems."

This research was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West).