Objectives: To survey practices in 14 European countries and to describe strategies for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary morbidity in very preterm newborns.
Methods: Questionnaires covering the use of prenatal steroids, surfactant and postnatal steroids were sent in 1999-2000 to every neonatal unit taking very preterm newborns in charge in population-based areas covering at least 20,000 births annually. One questionnaire was sent by surveyed unit.
Results: Results are given concerning these three treatments and compared to evidence based recommendations.
Conclusion: Antenatal steroids were given at recommended terms. Surfactant was prescribed with respect of best practices. Postnatal steroids utilisation was not well described.