The prevalence of neonatal morbidities associated with late-preterm birth

ObjectiveObstetrical and medical complications in pregnancy may necessitate delivery between 34 and 37 weeks' gestation. To assist decision making and patient counseling, we sought to determine the prevalence of neonatal morbidities between 34 and 37 weeks' gestation.Study designRetrospective cohort study of live births was conducted at our institution over a seven year period. Multiple gestations and congenital anomalies were excluded. The prevalence of neonatal morbidities between 34 and 37 were calculated.Results1060 births between weeks 34–36 and 975 births occurred during week 37. Gestational age was inversely related to NICU admission, days in NICU, intubation, poor feeding, hyperbilirubinemia, and respiratory distress (p < 0.01 for all). Respiratory distress requiring surfactant (RDS), occurred in 4%, 1%, 0.2%, and 0% of infants born at 34, 35, 36, and 37 weeks, respectively (p < 0.01).ConclusionThere is decreased neonatal morbidity for each week gained between 34 and 37 weeks' gestation.