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International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
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Lower respiratory tract disorder hospitalizations among children born via elective early-term delivery

Kirkby D Tickell, Erica M Lokken, Torin T Schaafsma

    The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine : the Official Journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians
    |August 26, 2015
    PubMed

    Insights

    Elective early-term delivery is linked to a higher risk of childhood lower respiratory tract disorder hospitalizations. This finding supports discouraging non-medically indicated early-term inductions to protect infant respiratory health.

    Area of Science:

    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Pediatrics
    • Public Health

    Background:

    • Elective early-term delivery is common, but its long-term effects on infant health are not fully understood.
    • Lower respiratory tract disorders are a significant cause of childhood morbidity.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the association between elective early-term delivery and the risk of hospitalization for lower respiratory tract disorders in children.
    • To examine specific respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchiolitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective cohort study using Washington State birth certificate and hospital discharge data.
    • Comparison of children born via early-term elective induction versus full- or late-term elective induction.
    • Analysis of hospitalization odds before age five and cause-specific odds ratios, with subgroup analysis excluding perinatal complications.

    Main Results:

    • Electively induced early-term children had a significantly increased risk of hospitalization for lower respiratory disorders before age five (adjusted OR: 1.31).
    • Bronchiolitis showed a statistically significant increase in hospitalization odds.
    • Comparable, though not always statistically significant, increases were observed for asthma and pneumonia.

    Conclusions:

    • An association exists between electively induced early-term delivery and increased hospitalization for lower respiratory tract disorders in early childhood.
    • Findings support current policies that discourage elective early-term delivery.
    • Further research may explore underlying mechanisms linking early-term birth and respiratory issues.
    Abstract

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