Abstract
Objective: We aimed to compare the perinatal outcomes in late preterm spontaneous and indicated birth neonates. Methods: We studied 289 late preterm births, classified as either aspontaneous late preterm birth (sLPTB) group (preterm labor with intact membranes and preterm premature rupture of membranes) or an indicated late preterm birth (iLPTB) group (hypertensive disorder in pregnancy, placental causes, and maternal diseases), according to the delivery indication. We then compared the maternal and neonatal characteristics and perinatal outcomes, including the Apgar score, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or special care nursery (SCN), duration of NICU stay, and the rate of composite morbidity (antibiotic use, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy, respiratory support, and respiratory distress syndrome). Results: A total of 198 neonates were in the sLPTB group and 91 were in the iLPTB group. In spite of greater gestational age at the time of delivery in the iLPTB group, the mean birth weight was lower than that in the sLPTB group. Additionally, the iLPTB group showed lower Apgar scores, and higher rates of NICU or SCN admission, respiratory support, and hypoglycemia, but there was no difference in the rate of composite morbidity between the two groups. Conclusion: iLPTB neonates had lower birth weights despite greater gestational age than those in the sLPTB group, but there was no difference in the rate of composite morbidity between the two groups.
Highlights
Late preterm births are defined as births at a gestational age between 34 weeks and 36 weeks, 6 days, and comprise nearly 74% of all preterm deliveries and approximately 8% of total deliveries [1] [2]
We studied 289 late preterm births, classified as either aspontaneous late preterm birth group or an indicated late preterm birth group, according to the delivery indication
Similar to the results of previous studies, we found that spontaneous late preterm birth (sLPTB) accounted for about 70% of all late preterm births and indicated late preterm birth (iLPTB) for the remaining 30% in our study group [2] [12]-[14]
Summary
Late preterm births are defined as births at a gestational age between 34 weeks and 36 weeks, 6 days, and comprise nearly 74% of all preterm deliveries and approximately 8% of total deliveries [1] [2]. The incidence of preterm-related morbidity decreases after 34 weeks of gestation [3], previous studies show that late preterm neonates have higher rates of morbidity, such as feeding difficulty, jaundice, hypoglycemia, temperature instability, apnea, respiratory distress, and mortality, compared to full-term births [3] [4]. A recent study showed that antenatal administration of betamethasone reduces neonatal respiratory morbidity in late preterm births [5]. Compared to studies on outcomes in latepreterm and fullterm neonates, there have been few reports on latepreterm births according to the indications for delivery [7]-[11], in Korea. We aimed to compare late preterm perinatal outcomes in spontaneous and indicated late preterm birth neonates
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