Clinical Complications, Maternal Risk Factors And Financial Burden On Late Preterm Infants

Background:Late preterm infants (LPIs) (34-36weeks’gestation) account for up to 75% of preterm births and constitutes significant proportion of all neonatal admissions.This study was performed to evaluate maternal risk factors for late preterm birth,their outcomes and financial burden, compared with full term infants(FTI) (≥37 to <42 weeks) at our institution.Study design:This was a retrospective analysis and short term neonatal outcomes of newborn babies delivered at first affiliated hospital of Guangxi Medical University. LPIs, delivered in 2013 in our hospital, were recruited and FTI delivered at the mean time who all were admitted in neonatal ward were taken as control group. SPSS 17.0 software was used to calculate chi-square test for infants, and logistic regression for maternal risk factors.Results:1.During the study period, there were 1379 neonates who got admitted to neonate ward in the institute. LPI were 259 accounting for 19.2% of total admission in the ward.2. Compared to FTI, LPI first 3 disease on chronological orders were hyperbilirubinemia, transient myocardial ischemia and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).3. LPI hospital stay was also high. 4. Financial burden on LPI was higher compared to FTI.5. LPI related maternal factors:twin pregnancy, premature rupture of membrane (PROM), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), eclampsia, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), and cholestasis were statistically significant.Conclusion:1. Incidence, morbidity and financial burden on LPI are higher compared to FTI. More attention and improved management should be addressed to this special population.2. Some maternal high risk factors are related to LPI occurence. Pregnance care should be emphasized to prevent LPI delivery.