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Published on: November 20, 2015
Risk factors associated with respiratory disorders in late preterm infants
Sachie Suga1, Ichiro Yasuhi1, Mikihiro Aoki1
1a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Perinatal Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center , Omura City , Japan .
Insights
Respiratory problems are common in late preterm infants. Earlier gestational age, cesarean birth, and low Apgar scores are key risk factors for neonatal respiratory disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Perinatology
- Pediatric Respiratory Health
Background:
- Late preterm infants (34–36 weeks gestation) face significant risks for respiratory complications.
- Identifying specific risk factors is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify independent risk factors for neonatal respiratory disorders (NRD) in Japanese late preterm infants.
- To inform clinical management strategies for this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective multicenter study of singleton late preterm deliveries (34–36 weeks gestation).
- Exclusion of infants with congenital anomalies.
- Definition of NRD included mechanical ventilation or nasal CPAP.
- Analysis of perinatal risk factors.
Main Results:
- A total of 683 infants were included.
- NRD incidence was 13.7% at 34 weeks, 6.8% at 35 weeks, and 2.6% at 36 weeks.
- Independent risk factors for NRD were earlier gestational age, cesarean birth, and low Apgar score.
Conclusions:
- Earlier gestational age, cesarean delivery, and low Apgar scores are significant independent risk factors for NRD in late preterm infants.
- Infants with these risk factors require management in an intensive delivery setting.
Objective:
Late preterm infants are still high risk for respiratory problems. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with respiratory problems in Japanese late preterm infants.
Methods:
In this retrospective multicenter study, we included singleton late preterm deliveries at 34+(0/7)-36+(6/7) weeks of gestation. We excluded cases with congenital anomalies. We defined neonatal respiratory disorders (NRD) as the combination of the need for mechanical ventilation or the use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure. We examined the perinatal risk factors associated with NRD.
Results:
We included 683 late preterm infants. We found that 13.7%, 6.8% and 2.6% of the infants with NRD were born at 34, 35 and 36 weeks of gestation, respectively. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusting for confounders, the gestational age (GA) at birth (adjusted odds ratio 0.40 per week [95% confidence interval, 0.25-0.61]), cesarean birth (4.18 [2.11-8.84]), and a low Apgar score (33.3 [9.93-121.3]) were independent risk factors associated with NRD.
Conclusions:
An earlier GA, cesarean delivery, and a low Apgar score are independent risk factors associated with NRD in singleton late preterm infants. Patients with late preterm deliveries exhibiting these risk factors should be managed in the intensive delivery setting.
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