Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2025
Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Infants Born at Late Preterm Gestation: Management during the Birth Hospitalization
Neha S Joshi1, Jochen Profit1, Adam Frymoyer1
1Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
Insights
Infants born late preterm (34-36 weeks gestational age) show varying needs for respiratory support and feeding. Many experience morbidities like tachypnea, hypoglycemia, and hypothermia, requiring medical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Perinatal Health
- Pediatric Care
Background:
- Late preterm infants (34-36 weeks gestational age) represent a significant proportion of neonatal births.
- Understanding their specific care needs, common morbidities, and intervention rates is crucial for optimizing outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze admission practices for late preterm infants.
- To determine the frequency of common clinical morbidities in this population.
- To assess the rates of medical intervention required for late preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of infants born between 34-36 weeks gestational age from 2019-2021.
- Exclusion of infants with congenital anomalies requiring NICU admission.
- Analysis of electronic health records using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Main Results:
- 1022 infants included: 34 (21%), 35 (26%), and 36 (54%) weeks gestational age.
- Higher rates of respiratory support (32%) and tube feeds (55%) in 34-week infants compared to 35/36-week infants.
- Significant morbidities observed: tachypnea (40%), hypoglycemia (61%), hypothermia (57%), with interventions needed for a subset.
Conclusions:
- This single-center study highlights the varied clinical course of late preterm infants.
- Findings suggest a need for further multicenter research to establish clinical benchmarks and quality markers for this population.
Objective:
To examine the admission practices, frequency of common clinical morbidities, and rates of medical intervention in infants born at 34-36 weeks gestational age (GA, late preterm).
Study Design:
This retrospective, single institution, cohort study analyzed electronic health records of infants born late preterm from 2019 through 2021. Infants with known congenital anomalies necessitating neonatal intensive care unit admission were excluded. Analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results:
The study included 1022 infants: 209 (21%) 34 weeks GA, 263 (26%) 35 weeks GA, and 550 (54%) 36 weeks GA. Sixty-three percent of infants at 35 weeks GA and 78% of infants of 36 weeks GA remained in well newborn care throughout the birth hospitalization; infants born at 34 weeks GA were ineligible for well newborn care. The need for respiratory support was 32%, 18%, and 11% in infants of 34, 35, and 36 weeks GA, respectively. Supplemental tube feeds were administered in 55%, 24%, and 8% of infants of 34, 35, and 36 weeks GA, respectively. Most infants born at 34 weeks GA (91%) were placed in an incubator; this was less frequent in infants at 35 (37%) and 36 weeks (16%). Tachypnea, hypoglycemia, and hypothermia were noted in 40%, 61%, and 57% of infants, respectively. A subset of these infants (30% with tachypnea, 23% with hypoglycemia, and 46% with hypothermia) required medical intervention for these abnormalities.
Conclusions:
This single-center study provides an outlook on the care of infants born late preterm. Multicenter studies can contextualize these findings in order to develop clinical benchmarks and quality markers for this large population of infants.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
01:17Endotracheal Intubation II: Nursing Management
1. Nursing Care of Patients Before Intubation
Before the endotracheal intubation procedure, nurses play an essential role in ensuring the process goes smoothly. The nurses must be familiar with intubation...
01:28Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
01:15Endotracheal Intubation I: Procedure
The ET tube comprises various components, including a standard adaptor to attach a bag-valve-mask (BVM) or ventilator, a cuff, a pilot balloon, and radiopaque markings along its length to measure the insertion distance. The tube sizes...
01:22Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management