Perinatal intensive care

Since the end of the 1970s, neonatal intensive care (IC) has developed from a young and highly technical specialism into a broad, multidisciplinary form of treatment — known as perinatology — which frequently begins antenatally and also concerns the long-term consequences. The chances of premature or severely ill neonates surviving have increased markedly since the advent of perinatology and the majority of these children are not left with any severe handicap. However, many children have minor disabilities which have a lifelong impact and adversely affect their chances of leading an independent life.