Vol 82, No 2 (2011)
ARTICLES
Late preterm infants – complications during the early period of adaptation
Małgorzata Baumert, Agnieszka Łukomska, Łukasz J. Krzych, Jacek Magnucki, Małgorzata Pacula
Vol 82, No 2 (2011)
ARTICLES
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.
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.
Keywords
term infant, late preterm infant, clinical complications
Title
Late preterm infants – complications during the early period of adaptation
Journal
Ginekologia Polska
Issue
Vol 82, No 2 (2011)
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Bibliographic record
Ginekol Pol 2011;82(2).
Keywords
term infant
late preterm infant
clinical complications
Authors
Małgorzata Baumert
Agnieszka Łukomska
Łukasz J. Krzych
Jacek Magnucki
Małgorzata Pacula
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