Late prematurity still carries risks

Article

Babies arriving 4 to 6 weeks early are significantly more likely to develop respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage, hypoglycemia, and jaundice requiring phototherapy

A recent retrospective study of spontaneous, low-risk, singleton, late preterm (between 34 and 37 weeks' gestation) deliveries finds that, compared with full-term infants, the babies arriving 4 to 6 weeks early were significantly more likely to develop respiratory distress syndrome (4.2% vs. 0.1%, P<.001), sepsis (0.4% vs. 0.04%, P<.001), intraventricular hemorrhage (0.2% vs. 0.02%, P<.001), hypoglycemia (6.8% vs. 0.4%, P<.001), and jaundice requiring phototherapy (18% vs. 2.5%, P<.001). The study, conducted in Israel, included almost 2,500 late preterm babies and almost 7,500 full-term controls.

The authors report that the relationship between gestational age and neonatal morbidity is of a continuous nature with a nadir at about 39 weeks' gestation. The relationship does not, as previously believed, have a term–preterm threshold, nor is it related to birthweight. They also found that among late-preterm babies, risk factors that further increase morbidity risk include cesarean delivery, male sex, and parity.

The authors concluded that given the short- and long-term neonatal morbidity, hospitalization days, and costs associated with late prematurity, practitioners may want to consider doing more to prolong pregnancy when spontaneous preterm labor occurs beyond 34 weeks' gestation.

Recent Videos
1 expert is featured in this series.
Giovanni Traverso, PhD, highlights contraceptive implants through small needle | Image Credit: meche.mit.edu
Ryan Haumschild, PharmD
1 expert is featured in this series.
How sex differences impact treatment efficacy for chronic pain | Image Credit: profiles.ucalgary.ca.
Tuan Trang, PhD, discusses biological differences in chronic pain between men and women | Image Credit: profiles.ucalgary.ca.
1 expert is featured in this series.
How the Flyte device revolutionizes SUI management | Image Credit: linkedin.com.
Dr. Wanda Filer discusses how to overcome barriers to SUI treatment | Image Credit: linkedin.com.
Revi System shows efficacy against urgency urinary incontinence | Image Credit: ics.org.
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.