Born just a few weeks early: does it matter?

Until recently, infants born at moderate preterm (32-33 weeks) and late preterm (34-36 weeks) gestations have gone largely unstudied. Since their outcomes were thought to be similar to those of infants born at 37 weeks and above, they have historically been managed in much the same way as infants born at term. However, accumulating data indicate that risks of morbidity and mortality are significantly greater in this group than previously believed.