RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In preterm labour prenatal transfer of the pregnant woman to perinatal centres or subspecialty hospitals is thought to improve outcome of very low birth weight infants (VLBW). Can preterm labour diagnosed early enough? MATERIAL: Records of the neonatal referral centre at the Ulm University Hospital (1974-2003) and of the regional neonatal working group (1986-2003). RESULTS: The rate of inborn VLBW infants increased from 40 to 95-100%. CONCLUSION: It was possible to diagnose preterm labour early enough for prenatal transfer. DISCUSSION: On the strength of past experience it may be assumed that the obstetrician's or institution's willingness to transfer mothers before delivery was the critical factor of the nearly complete regionalization.