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Risk factors for acute respiratory morbidity in moderately preterm infants

Maria Altman1, Mireille Vanpée, Sven Cnattingius

  • 1Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. maria.altman@ki.se

Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology
|February 5, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Acute respiratory problems are common in moderately preterm infants. Risk factors include multiple births, C-sections, low Apgar scores, and male sex.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Respiratory Health
  • Public Health Research

Background:

  • Preterm birth is a major cause of infant illness, particularly respiratory issues.
  • Research has focused on extremely preterm infants, with less known about moderately and late preterm infants.
  • Acute respiratory disorders are a significant clinical problem in neonatal care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the rates of acute respiratory diseases in moderately preterm infants.
  • To identify maternal, obstetric, and neonatal risk factors for transient tachypnoea of the newborn (TTN) and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
  • To analyze contemporary risk factors for acute respiratory morbidity in moderately preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • Population-based study in Sweden from 2004-2008.
  • Included moderately preterm (30-34 weeks GA), late preterm (35-36 weeks GA), and term infants (37-41 weeks GA).
  • Multivariable analyses were used to identify risk factors for TTN and RDS.

Main Results:

  • Risk factors for TTN and RDS in moderately preterm infants included multiparity, caesarean section, male sex, and lower gestational age (GA).
  • Lower Apgar scores at 5 minutes were also associated with increased risk for both TTN and RDS.
  • Factors like preterm rupture of membranes, antenatal corticosteroids, and being small for gestational age reduced the risk of RDS.

Conclusions:

  • Acute respiratory morbidity is prevalent in moderately preterm infants.
  • Multiparity, caesarean section, low Apgar score, and male sex are significant predictors.
  • Understanding these risk factors can inform preventative strategies and clinical management.
Abstract

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