Respiratory Morbidities and Outcome in Late Preterm in Neonatal ICU of Assiut University Children Hospital, One Year Study

In the world, Preterm birth rates continue to rise. Many reasons account for this increase, such as demographic changes, infertility treatments, increases in maternal age, more multiple gestations, increasing obesity rates, and maternal comorbid conditions.

To evaluate the occurrence and impact of a condition, a precise definition and its related outcomes are necessary. Thus, a general classification for selected gestational age categories has been reported. Preterm birth refers to all deliveries < 37-0/7 weeks; this classification includes very preterm (< 32-0/7 weeks), moderately preterm (32-0/7 to 33-6/7 weeks), and late preterm births (34-0/7 to 36-6/7 weeks). Term births refer to deliveries that occur from 37-0/7 to 42-0/7 weeks, and post-term births refer to any delivery occurring after 42-0/7 weeks.

Neonates born between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation (late preterm or near-term births) comprise 71% of all preterm births in the United States.

Late preterm neonates have significantly higher rates of morbidity and mortality relative to those born at term (37-42 weeks).

In addition to higher risks for serious health complications, the mortality rate for late preterm infants is 3-fold higher than that for term infants (7.7 vs 2.5 per 1000 live births).