Objective:
Preterm deliveries increased in many countries in recent years. However, despite fetal lung maturity, substantial neonatal morbidity may occur even after 34 weeks of gestation. The aim of this study was to evaluate neonatal morbidity and mortality in women with late preterm births.
Design:
Retrospective.
Setting:
Duzce University School of Medicine, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics.
Patients:
Medical records of 291 pregnant women and newborns born between the 340/7-366/7 weeks of gestation were reviewed.
Interventions:
The whole population is first divided into two groups as depending on the presence of PPROM or not; and then also divided into-three groups based on the gestational age at delivery as 340/7-346/7 week (Group 1), 350/7-356/7 week (Group 2), and 360/7-366/7 week (Group 3).
Main outcome measures:
Groups were compared with respect to neonatal complications related to prematurity, and early membrane rupture.
Results:
Of the 291 neonates included in the study, 85 were delivered preterm due to PPROM, 206 were non-PPROM group, and 76 were in Group 1, 108 were in Group 2, and 107 were in Group 3. Sepsis rate was higher in Group 1 and 2 compared to Group 3 (p=0.016, p=0.029). NICU stay period was longer in Group 1 and Group 2 than group 3 (p=0.028, p=0.015 respectively). Newborns in Group 1 had significantly longer hospital stay than Group 3 (p=0.010), and total hospital stay period were significantly higher in newborns with sepsis.
Conclusions:
The late-preterm infants especially in earlier weeks represent a significantly higher risk category for neonatal complications, and they have a significantly longer NCIU and hospital stay period.
Keywords: late preterm birth, preterm premature membrane rupture, neonatal outcomes