Wahrnehmung des Transitionsprozesses von der pädiatrischen zur Erwachsenenmedizin bei Früh- und Reifgeborenen

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Die Zahl der Frühgeborenen nimmt weltweit zu, und ihre medizinischen Bedürfnisse sind oft komplex. Die Transition von der pädiatrischen zur Erwachsenenmedizin ist eine kritische Phase, die bei unzureichender Unterstützung zu Problemen führen kann. Besonders extrem Frühgeborene stehen vor langfristigen gesundheitlichen Herausforderungen, die spezialisierte Betreuung erfordern.

Ziel der Arbeit

Diese retrospektive Studie untersuchte, wie Mütter den Transitionsprozess ihrer früh- und reifgeborenen Kinder wahrnehmen. Wir prüften, ob perinatale Faktoren wie niedriges Gestationsalter (GA) den Transitionsprozess und die ärztliche Versorgung im Erwachsenenalter beeinflussen. Zudem wurden Häufigkeit ärztlicher Inanspruchnahme und Komorbiditäten zwischen früh- und reifgeborenen Erwachsenen verglichen.

Methoden

Die Gutenberg Prematurity Study (GPS) analysierte retrospektiv 310 früh- und 296 reifgeborene Erwachsene (18–52 Jahre), eingeteilt in GA-Gruppen (≥37, 33–36, 29–32,≤28 Wochen). Mithilfe multivariabler logistischer Regressionsanalysen wurden Zusammenhänge zwischen perinatalen Faktoren, Transitionsbewertung und ärztlicher Versorgung untersucht.

Ergebnisse

Mütter von Kindern mit einem GA von≤28 sowie 29–32 Wochen bewerteten den Transitionsprozess negativer als Mütter von Reifgeborenen. Die medizinische Versorgung fünf Jahre nach der Transition wurde bei GA≤28 Wochen ebenfalls signifikant schlechter eingeschätzt. Extrem Frühgeborene hatten häufiger Allgemeinarztbesuche und mehr Komorbiditäten wie Hypertonie.

Schlussfolgerungen

Übergangsprogramme sollten gezielt auf die Bedürfnisse extrem Frühgeborener abgestimmt werden, um die langfristige medizinische Betreuung zu verbessern und Komorbiditäten frühzeitig zu erkennen.

Abstract

Background

The number of premature births is rising globally, and medical needs are often complex. The transition from pediatric to adult healthcare is a critical phase that, without adequate support, may lead to difficulties. Especially extremely preterm infants face long-term health challenges requiring specialized care.

Objectives

This retrospective study examined how mothers perceive the transition process of their preterm and term-born children. We analyzed whether perinatal factors such as low gestational age (GA) influence transition experiences and adult healthcare. Additionally, healthcare utilization and comorbidities were compared between preterm and term-born adults.

Methods

The Gutenberg Prematurity Study (GPS) retrospectively analyzed 310 preterm and 296 term-born adults (aged 18–52), categorized into GA groups (≥37, 33–36, 29–32,≤28 weeks). Multivariable logistic regression assessed associations between perinatal factors, transition ratings, and healthcare utilization.

Results

Mothers of children born at≤28 and 29–32 weeks GA rated the transition to adult healthcare more negatively than mothers of term-born children. In addition, care five years after transition was also rated significantly worse for the≤28 weeks group. Extremely preterm adults had more GP visits and more comorbidities, such as hypertension.

Conclusions

Transition programs should be tailored to the needs of preterm individuals, especially those born extremely preterm, to improve long-term care and address comorbidities early.

Schlüsselwörter

Frühgeburt - Gestationsalter - Übergang in die Gesundheitsversorgung - Übergangsprozess - perinatale Faktoren

Keywords

preterm birth - gestational age - health care transition - transition process - perinatal factors

Publication History

Received: 04 December 2024

Accepted after revision: 18 August 2025

Article published online:
09 October 2025

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