Perinatal management of extreme preterm birth before 27 weeks of gestation (2026): a BAPM framework for practice

Report

The purpose of this Framework for Practice is to assist decision-making prior to and/or at the time of birth relating to perinatal care and preterm birth at 26 weeks and 6 days of gestation or less in the United Kingdom.

Whilst this update retains the core elements of the 2019 Framework, we have made revisions to provide clearer language, support and guidance around appropriate decisions for babies assessed to be at extremely high risk of dying. It emphasises that for such babies, comfort care should be provided. 

This framework also includes updated survival and neurodevelopmental outcome figures and the proportion of babies liveborn. This revision emphasises the importance of joint maternity and neonatal counselling with families, which includes communication between centres when transfers antenatally or postnatally are considered. 

Authors: Bartle, D; Bates, S; Battersby, C; Jackson, A; Kay, T

• Publication status: Published
• Publisher: British Association of Perinatal Medicine
• Series: BAPM Frameworks for Practice
• Publication date: 2026-02-09
• Language: English