Late preterm neonates – a significant neonatal problem?

Abstract

Abstract 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.