Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
[The late preterm infants--time to put our mind]
Insights
Late preterm infants born between 34-37 weeks are functionally immature, facing higher mortality and morbidity risks. Increased awareness and precise care are crucial for these vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Perinatal Medicine
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Late preterm infants (34-37 weeks gestation) are often misclassified as mature due to adequate birth weight.
- These infants exhibit functional and metabolic immaturity, leading to challenging postnatal adaptation.
- The incidence of late preterm births has significantly increased in recent years.
Purpose:
- To review the reasons behind the rising incidence of late preterm births.
- To describe common early adaptation disturbances in late preterm infants.
- To highlight the need for refined indicators for delivery and specialized care protocols.
Summary:
- Late preterm infants experience higher rates of morbidity and mortality compared to full-term infants.
- Common complications include hypothermia, hypoglycemia, respiratory distress, apnea, jaundice, and feeding issues.
- Long-term disabilities such as cerebral palsy and developmental delays are also concerns.
Impact:
- Emphasizes the need for precise indicators for conducting late preterm births.
- Advocates for care that acknowledges the immaturity and adaptation challenges of these infants.
- Highlights the potential for prolonged hospital stays and intensive care needs, impacting healthcare costs.
Abstract:
As late preterm infants are defined children born in the 340/7- 366/7 gestational age period. Their body mass is usually above 2500, that's why they are often incorrectly rated as mature by both parents and the medical professionals. Infants born in the period 34-37 g.a. are functionally and metabolically immature, they have a difficult postnatal adaptation. This explains the higher morbidity rate and the fourfold higher neonatal mortality in comparison to the babies born in term. The following review examines the reasons for the rising number of births in the period 34-37 g.a. The most common early disturbances of adaptation among the late preterm infants are described: hypothermia, hypoglycemia, respiratory distress syndrome, apnea, jaundice, nutrition disorders. Their therapy demands a long hospital stay and often expensive intensive care. The long-term disabilities among the late preterm infants are not well enough examined, but there is data for a higher cerebral palsy rate, hypotrophy, talking and behavior diversion. In the last 15 years the rate of the late preterm births has increased from 7% up to 10-12% of the total birth count. The indicators for conducting such births should be more precise. The care for the late preterm infant should take into consideration the level of immaturity and the numerous problems of adaptation.
