A neonatal morbidities and outcomes among late preterm infants

Authors

  • Jyoti B. Sarvi Department of Pediatrics, Gulbarga Institute of Medical Science, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India
  • Sandeep V. H. Department of Pediatrics, Gulbarga Institute of Medical Science, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20200017

Keywords:

Late preterm neonates, Morbidity, Outcome

Abstract

Background: Late preterm birth (34-36 weeks) infants are at greater risk of (2-3 fold) compared to near term or term babies. The present study was done with the purpose to examine related morbidities and outcomes among late preterm infants.

Methods: The study included all late preterm babies (34 0/7 weeks-36 6/7 weeks) admitted to the Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital and Sangameshwar Hospital for a period of one and half year (December 2013-May 2015). Short term outcome was assessed in the form of neonatal morbidities and mortality during the study period.

Results: A total of 203 late Preterm neonates comprised the study group. Male preponderance was noticed with a ratio of 1.5:1. This study confirmed that late-preterm infants are a population at risk of increased neonatal morbidity. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy forms the major one followed by sepsis, respiratory distress, and feed intolerance. Majority of late preterm neonates required more than 7 days hospital duration.

Conclusions: Late preterm infants suffer a large number of intercurrent medical problems during the neonatal period, especially increased likelihood of resuscitation in the delivery room, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, jaundice requiring phototherapy, respiratory pathologies, sepsis and feeding intolerance. Prolonging pregnancy to the maximum safest gestation will result in decrease in such morbidities.

References

Stark AR. American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Fetus Newborn. Levels of neonatal care. Pediatr. 2004;114:1341-7.

Raju TNK, Higgins RD, Stark AR, Leveno KJ. Optimizing care and outcome for late- preterm(near-term) infants: a summary of the workshop sponsored by the NICHD. Pediatr. 2006;118:1207-14.

Davidoff MJ, Dias T, Damus K, Russell R, Bettegowda VR, Dolan S, et al. Changes in the gestational age distribution among US singleton births: impact on rates of late preterm birth, 1992 to 2002. Semin Perinatol. 2006;30:8-15.

Ballard JL, Khoury JC, Wedig K, Wang L, Eilers-Walsman BL, Lipp R. New Ballard score, expanded to include extremely premature infants. J Pediatr. 1991;119(3):417-23.

Mc Intire DD, Leveno KJ. Neonatal mortality and morbidity rates in late preterm births compared with births at term. Obstet Gynecol. 2008;111:35-41.

Jaiswal A, Murki S, Gaddam P, Reddy A. Early Neonatal Morbidities in Late Preterm Infants. Indian Pediatr. 2011;48:607-11.

Leone A, Ersfeld P, Adams M, Schiffer MP, Bucher HU, Arlettaz R. Neonatal morbidity in singleton late preterm infants compared with full- term infants. Acta Paediatr. 2012;101(1):6-10.

Teune MJ, Bakhuizen S, Bannerman CG, Opmeer BC, Van Kaam AH, Van Wassenaer AG, et al. A systematic review of severe morbidity in infants born late preterm. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Oct 1;205(4):374-e1.

Downloads

Published

2020-01-23

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles