ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the attitude of neonatologists toward the treatment of extremely preterm infants (EPIs) in China.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire designed and posted on Wenjuanxing, a web-based survey platform, from June to July 2021. The respondents were neonatal physicians in various provinces and cities in China. The questionnaire covered the basic information, treatment experience and attitude towards EPIs, and opinions on the current definition of the preterm infant in China. The results were described or analyzed using the Chi-square test.Results:A total of 1 066 valid replies were collected. The respondents included 322 males and 744 females, among whom 78.1% (832/1 066) were assistant director physicians or director physicians, 82.8% (882/1 066) were from tertiary hospitals, and 83.0% (885/1 066) had the experiences of treating EPIs. In terms of the attitude toward the treatment of EPIs, 63.0% (672/1 066) of the respondents suggested that the lower limit of gestational age for EPIs requiring active resuscitation should be defined at 25 gestational weeks or less. Moreover, 57.1% (609/1 066) considered that the current domestic definition of preterm infants as 28 gestational age or above was inappropriate, and 75.2% (458/609) considered that the lower limit defined as preterm infants should be 25 gestational weeks or less. Concerning the treatment experience in EPIs, 54.3% (579/1 066) of the respondents suggested that in their hospital, withdrawing treatment in EPIs was common or very common, and 83.3% (888/1 066) considered that the main reason for withdrawing treatment was family members' concerns about the prognosis. Those who hesitated about treating the EPIs accounted for 71.6% (763/1 066), and 83.9% (640/763) hesitated due to the poor prognosis and possible medical disputes. Moreover, 32.7% (349/1 066) of the respondents or their colleagues had been involved in medical disputes about whether to treat EPIs, and 74.8% (797/1 066) believed that the patients should be the decision-maker on whether to treat EPIs or not.Conclusion:Most neonatal physicians in this survey hold a positive attitude toward the treatment of EPIs and believe that the lower limit of gestational age for preterm infants should be lowered. However, a hesitating attitude to the care of EPIs is still common, and uncertainty about the prognosis of EPIs remains a concern.