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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Adverse neonatal outcomes: examining the risks between preterm, late preterm, and term infants
Jamie A Bastek1, Mary D Sammel, Emmanuelle Paré
1Maternal and Child Health Research Program, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|October 22, 2008
Summary
Late preterm infants (34-36 weeks) face higher risks of adverse outcomes compared to full-term infants. Advancing gestational age significantly reduces these risks for preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal outcomes
- Perinatal medicine
- Public health
Background:
- Limited data exists on neonatal outcomes for late preterm infants (34 to 36 6/7 weeks gestation).
- Understanding risks in this cohort is crucial for optimizing care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare adverse neonatal outcomes among infants born at 32-33 6/7 weeks, 34-36 6/7 weeks, and 37 weeks or later.
- To identify the association between gestational age and adverse neonatal outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 264 preterm labor patients (2002-2005).
- Inclusion criteria: delivery at 32 weeks gestation or later.
- Statistical analysis included chi-squared tests and Poisson regression to assess outcomes and control for confounders.
Main Results:
- Late preterm infants exhibit a higher incidence of adverse outcomes compared to term infants.
- Each additional week of gestational age between 32 and 39 weeks was associated with a 23% reduction in adverse outcomes (RR 0.77, P < .001).
Conclusions:
- The late preterm cohort experiences increased risks of adverse neonatal outcomes.
- Further research into obstetrical management and long-term follow-up for this population is necessary.
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