NICHD Outcomes Estimator

The National Institutes of Health (NICHD) has developed a “web outcomes tool” that can be used to calculate the likelihood of survival for extremely low birthweight (ELBW) babies. The tool is now available to you through the link shown below. You may find these statistics useful when considering the most appropriate treatment options. However, please keep the following in mind when interpreting the data:

• The database used by the calculator comes from inborn babies from 19 tertiary-level hospitals within the NICHD neonatal network. The results may or may not be applicable to your local situation.
• The 19 participating centers reflected a spectrum of philosophies regarding the aggressiveness of resuscitation efforts appropriate at the lower limits of viability, perhaps reflected in the significant variation in outcomes for ventilated infants seen across centers. Therefore, some of the deaths may have occurred because resuscitation was not attempted. Differences among centers may also influence decisions to continue or withdraw support after NICU admission.
• The calculation takes into account 5 variables. However, other important variables, such as amnionitis, congenital malformations, mode of delivery, or dose of antenatal steroids received, will also influence outcome for an individual baby.
• The birthweights in the database were actual measured weights. If you are using this antenatally, you will need to enter an estimated fetal weight.
• The accuracy of gestational age estimation is generally accepted to be +/- 6%, which would be +/- 9-10.5 days at 22-25 weeks.
• The calculator provides only one bit of information that parents and physicians should use in determining the appropriate intervention for an ELBW baby at birth. Each baby should be considered as an individual.

* The calculator is available at NICHD.