Late preter cant neonatal problem?

Background: The survival rate and quality of life of extremely low birthweight infants remain to be one of the main challenges of modern neonatology. Therefore, pre-term children born after 32 weeks of gestation with more normal birthweight, have become a relatively minor medical problem in comparison.

Objectives: The aim of the following work was to compare the frequency of complications occurring in neonatal period in groups of late preterms and full-term neonates.

Methods: A group of 725 late pre-term babies, born between 34-36 6/7 GA, constituted the study group and has been analyzed retrospectively 5040 neonates born at term comprised the control group. The results were analyzed statistically using chi-square test.

Results: Respiratory disturbances were diagnosed in 178 neonates in the study group (24.55%), while in the control group in 138 cases (2.74%), p = 0.0000. Intrauterine infections were present in 92 neonates in the study group (12.69%) and in 327 infants in the control group (6.49%), p = 0.0000. Hiperbilirubinemia developed in 520 neonates in the study group (71.72%), and in 1895 babies in the control group (37.60%), p = 0.0000.

Conclusions: (1) Respiratory disturbances, hiperbilirubinemia and intrauterine infections are more frequently observed in late preterms. (2) Increased morbidity in late preterm neonates prolongs the time of hospitalization.