A national survey of current practice in the management of very low and extremely low birth weight infants: is there a role for national guidelines?

Substantial variation exists in the use of a number of post natal interventions and procedures between neonatal intensive care units. This study examined current practice in the management of commonly encountered problems in very low and extremely low birth weight infants in the eight regional units in Ireland, and was intended to determine whether support exists for the development of national practice guidelines. Ninety one percent of people surveyed returned a completed questionnaire, 76% of respondents believed it would be both worthwhile and practical to develop national practice guidelines. We therefore recommend, that a working group for the establishment of national practice guidelines for the management of VLBW infants be set up.