Late preterm infants – complications during the early period of adaptation

Abstract

Abstract A subgroup of more mature preterm infants, so-called „near term” („late preterm”) infants, 34 weeks 0/7 days to 36 weeks 6/7 days, have become the interest of countless research recently. Objectives: the aim of the study is the observation of more frequent occurrence of clinical problems in near-term infants in comparison with term infants. Methods: A retrospective review, conducted from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008, included 1271 neonatal records and subset analyses of 312 near-term infants and 812 full term infants. Results: Late preterm newborns were at higher risk of respiratory distress syndrome (p<0,01), infections, (p=0,0012) hyperbilirubinemia (p<0,001), temperature instability (p<0,001) and intraventricular hemorrhage (p<0,001) than term infants. A prolonged infant stay at hospital (beyond 72 hours after vaginal delivery and 96 hours after a cesarean delivery) resulting from specific clinical problems was observed. Conclusions: Even a little shortened period of pregnancy influences the adaptation period of the infants and increases the occurrence of clinical problems like respiratory distress syndrome, hyperbilirubinemia, infections, temperature instability and intraventricular hemorrhage, when comparing to term infants.