Mortality and morbidity in late-preterm newborns

Aim: There has been a gradual rise in late preterm infant rates in recent years. Although the late preterm infants have a lower risk compared to smaller preterms, some recent studies have suggested an incresed risk of mortality and morbidiy in this group compared to term infants. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of late-preterm births in our hospital, detect the neonatal mortality and morbidity of late-preterm newborns and compare the results with term newborns. Material and Method: For this prospective study, the gestational age of all infants born alive in our hospital between May 1, 2009-May 1, 2010 were assessed using the mother's last menstrual period and the new Ballard test. Our study group consisted of 220 infants selected among infants born late-preterm (34 0/7 -36 6/7 weeks), while 200 term newborns constituted our control group. Newborns with major congenital abnormalities and whose families did not consent were excluded. The subjects were seen and evaluated at 72 hours and weekly for one month. Results: During the study period 412 of 2582 (15.2%) babies born in our hospital were late-preterms. The number and rate of neonatal ICU admissions of term and late preterm infants were 28 (14%) and 172 (54.5%), respectively. Respiratory problems in late-preterms were significantly more frequent (31.8% versus 2%). Mechanical ventilation was used in 20,9% of late-preterms, while no term newborns needed it. Late-preterms overall were more likely to have feeding problems (19.1% vs 0.5%), hyperbilirubinemia (44.1% vs 7.5%), hypoglicemia (6.4% vs 1.0%), hypotermia (14.5% vs 0%), and infection (15.9% vs 0%). The mortality rate in late-preterm infants were 1 times more than term infants (5.5% vs 0.5%). Conclusions: Late-preterms have a significantly higher risk of morbidity and mortality compared to term newborns. They should be monitored closely interms of a higher risk of morbidity and a higher risk of admittion to hospital.