Early Neonatal Morbidities of Late Preterm Neonates Admitted to SNCU in the Government District Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The rate of preterm birth is increasing worldwide primarily at the expense of late preterm newborns. Late preterm infants are the fastest growing sub group of neonates and constitute approximately75% of all preterm birth sin2009. The birth rate of late preterm new borns has increased by 25% from 1990 to 2005 in the United States. Methodology: Details regarding maternal risk factors were collected by detailed history taking and the medical records with them. The infants in the sample were followed throughout their stay in the SNCU and postnatal wards, up until hospital discharge. Data were collected from infants and mothers medical records and supplemented with additional information collected at discharge using a structured form covering the variables of interest. Results: Hyperbilirubinaemia, Sepsis, Birth asphyxia and respiratory distress constitute the major neonatal morbidities which accounts for 68%, 68%, 41% & 34% respectively. Conclusion: Rate of re hospitalization is high in late preterm neonates.