The problems of late preterm infants in neonatal period

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The "late preterm" term is used for premature births between 34 0/7 and 36 6/7 gestational week. Most premature babies are "late preterm" babies. Although anthropometric measurements are close to term infants, there is increased risk of mortality and morbidity. In this study, we aimed to investigate in the neonatal period problems of late preterm labor in the tertiary referral hospital.METHODS: In this study, 210 late preterm infants born between 01/01/2016-31/12/2016 in the tertiary referral hospital were retrospectively examined.RESULTS: Twenty percent of births in one year were detected as late preterm, and 65% of all premature births were of late preterm. Fifty eight percent of late preterm infants were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. The most frequent causes of hospitalization were transient tachypnea (31.1%), congenital anomaly (18.8%) and jaundice requiring treatment (16.3%). Low gestational week and cesarean birth were statistically significantly higher in patients requiring hospitalization. The mortality rate was 2.7%, and increased in the presence of congenital anomalies (30.43%, 0.53%, p < 0.001) and male gender (87.5%, 12.5%, p = 0.033).DISCUSSION and CONCLUSION: Despite the increased mortality and morbidity risks of late preterm infants, cesarean births without indications are still continuing in these weeks. Late preterm infants who are followed up with mother care should be followed closely for respiratory problems, nutritional problems, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoglycemia and hypothermia.