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Survival rate soars for the babies born early - fuelling the debate over abortion limits
Last updated at 23:37pm on 01.02.08
Lottery: Ear;y babies' survival rates differ
Research has found the number of successful births between 22 and 25 weeks has more than doubled.
Anti-abortion activists say this means the abortion limit of 24 weeks should be cut. Pro-choice campaigners say the study was too small and that very premature babies are often scarred by serious disability.
The research, by neo-natal consultant Professor John Wyatt, looked at births at University College Hospital in London between 1981 and 2000.
It found survival rates had risen from 32 to 71 per cent - most significantly after 1996. It also showed increases in survival rates at 22 and 23 weeks - before the termination threshold - but the numbers were too small to be statistically significant.
Across the 20-year period, 45 per cent (or 163 of 357 infants studied) survived to the point where they were discharged.
The study contradicts the findings of a recent study of all British maternity units which indicated little improvement between 1995 and 2006 in survival rates of babies born before 24 weeks.
Most scientists back an earlier study, called the EPICure study, and last year the Commons science and technology committee used it to conclude there was no need to change the law.
Professor Wyatt insisted yesterday that survival rates can improve when maternity and neonatal units have consistent staffing levels, resources and treatment.
"It is also plausible that ethical and clinical policies vary between units and there is published evidence to show that this will have an effect on survival rates.
"Single centre studies have statistical limitations because of the relatively small numbers involved and they can also suffer from possible selection bias.
"But they provide information on the survival rates that can be achieved with consistent levels of staff and resources and with consistent policies."
MPs are due to debate the abortion laws for the first time in almost 20 years later this month.
Nadine Dorries, a Tory MP and former nurse said the new study proved that the abortion time limit should be reduced to at least 20 weeks.
Mrs Dorries is a member of the Commons science and technology committee and produced a minority report when the main committee concluded there was no evidence to back a law change.
Earlier this week she invited a scientist to the Commons to tell MPs about his research which he claimed babies could feel "excruciating pain" before 24 weeks.
Mrs Dorries said: "There is a postcode lottery in the UK. If a woman walks into a hospital with no neonatal unit and no specialist staff and delivers a baby at 24 weeks, the outcomes will be not very good indeed.
"If she walks into UCLH, the outcome will be far better. What this report shows is how many more babies would survive if we had a national network of neonatal units."
Another member of the committee, Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris, said the study proved little.
He claimed the EPICure research had pointed to increased survival rates at 24 and 25 weeks, but not at 22 to 23 weeks.
"UCLH have recognised that there is simply insufficient data to make any claims about a reduction in the threshold of viability which informs the 24-week limit on abortion," added Mr Harris.
"Peer review shows the science committee's decision was right."
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