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Gender Differences in Respiratory Morbidity and Mortality of Preterm Neonates

Courtney Denise Townsel1, Sawyer F Emmer1, Winston A Campbell1

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut , Farmington, CT , USA.

Frontiers in Pediatrics
|February 15, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Male newborns have higher rates of respiratory issues and death, even with modern treatments. This review explores gender disparities in preterm infants, suggesting sex-specific therapies may be needed to improve outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Perinatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Pulmonology

Background:

  • Male newborns historically exhibit higher respiratory morbidity and mortality.
  • Despite advancements like postnatal surfactant and antenatal corticosteroids, this gender gap persists.
  • Understanding sex-based biological differences is crucial for addressing neonatal respiratory outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and analyze gender differences in respiratory morbidity and mortality among preterm infants.
  • To specifically evaluate these differences in very low birth weight (VLBW) and late preterm (LPT) populations.
  • To identify potential biological underpinnings of observed gender disparities.

Main Methods:

  • Contemporary literature review focusing on gender differences in preterm infant respiratory outcomes.
  • Appraisal of studies examining very low birth weight (VLBW) and late preterm (LPT) neonates.
  • Synthesis of evidence regarding structural, physiological, and hormonal sex differences.

Main Results:

  • The gender gap in respiratory morbidity and mortality among preterm infants has not significantly narrowed.
  • Disparities are observed in both very low birth weight (VLBW) and late preterm (LPT) populations.
  • Evidence suggests underlying structural, physiological, and hormonal sex differences contribute to the disparity.

Conclusions:

  • Gender disparities in preterm infant respiratory outcomes persist despite medical advancements.
  • Structural, physiological, and hormonal sex differences are likely contributors to this gap.
  • Future research should explore the origins of these differences to develop gender-specific therapies and close the gap.

Keywords:
gendermortalitypretermrespiratory morbiditysex

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