Abstract
Introduction: Infants born preterm remain vulnerable to many complications. Objective was to identify gender differences in morbidity and adverse outcomes among premature and low birth weight born babies.Methods: A retrospective chart review of general pediatric clinic records was conducted for children and adolescents who were born premature and survived. Demographic, maternal, family, neonatal and postnatal data were abstracted. The data was then analyzed using a statistical calculator to perform one sample t-test between percentages.Results: Total 160 charts were reviewed. Out of 160, 58.8% males and 41% females were identified. The female babies were born at a higher rate as small for gestational age (SGA) babies, with a birth weight < 10th percentile (60.8% vs. 39%; p < 0.05), most of the male babies although pre-term were born as appropriate for gestational age (AGA). The incidence of complications associated with prematurity were found to be at a higher rate in male babies including jaundice (63.15% vs. 36.8%; p = 0.0198), metabolic issues (64.2% vs. 35.7%; p = 0.03), and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (60.5% vs. 39.4%; p =0.02). Sepsis was observed in 54% vs. 45.8% (p = 0.69), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH): 75% vs. 25% (p = 0.33), hypertension (HTN) 62% vs. 37% (p = 0.108).Conclusion: Gender related health disparity exists among pre-term born children although does not have a sufficient explanation. Most males, although born AGA, had a higher incidence of prematurity and its sequel requiring intensive healthcare support compared with females.
Highlights
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the preterm birth rate declined to 11.55% in 2012, down 2% from 2011, and 10% from 2006 [1]
Cases were classified as low birth weight (LBW) if birth weight was less than 2500 g, but greater than or equal to 1500 g
Very low birth weight (VLBW) babies had a birth weight between 1500 g and 1000 g, and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) babies weighed less than 1000 g at birth
Summary
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the preterm birth rate declined to 11.55% in 2012, down 2% from 2011, and 10% from 2006 [1]. Infants born preterm are vulnerable to many complications, including respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), cardiovascular disorders, chronic lung disease, compromised immune function, obesity, injury to the intestines, hearing and vision problems, and neurological insult [2, 3]. In 1986, Brothwood et al confirmed the “relative vulnerability of boys to perinatal mortality and morbidity” described in earlier reports [5]. They observed a higher mortality and more postnatal complications in very low birth weight (VLBW, less than 1,500 g) boys than in girls. More boys were depressed at birth as evidenced by their Apgar scores, had respiratory
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