Tiny preemies` outlook better predicted by a simple method

A new study proves that doctors may be able to look at a few simple factors to better predict how very premature babies will fare in the short term. But these days, more and more tiny preemies are surviving, said Dr. Prakeshkumar Shah, a neonatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, and the senior researcher on the new study. According to him, the task is to try to predict their chances of serious complications, such as heavy bleeding in the brain or severe breathing problems. An expert not involved in the work agreed that the results could prove useful. “We're trying to develop better and better tools to help us guide families through this process”, said Dr. Deborah Campbell, director of neonatology at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, in New York City. “We can use this information to help give parents a sense of where their child may fall as far as these outcomes”, she said. “But every baby is an individual”.