Risk factors associated with respiratory distress syndrome in late preterm infants

To investigate the risk factors for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) in late preterm infants.

A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 86 late preterm infants with a gestational age of 34-36⁺⁶ weeks who were admitted to Maternity & Child Care Center of Qinhuangdao from June 2022 to June 2023 and with complete clinical records. All enrolled infants were divided into the non-NRDS group(n=51) and the NRDS group(n=35) according to the presence or absence of NRDS.

No statistically significant differences were observed in birth weight, gestational age and gravidity between the two groups(p>0.05), while there were statistically significant differences in fetal gender, mode of delivery and presence or absence of asphyxia(p<0.05). Moreover, no statistically significant differences were found in advanced maternal age, anemia, multiple births, and gestational hypertension(p>0.05), while there were statistically significant differences in placental abnormalities, intrauterine distress, premature rupture of membranes, and gestational diabetes mellitus(p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that fetal gender(male), placental abnormalities, intrauterine distress, premature rupture of membranes, and gestational diabetes mellitus were risk factors for NRDS in late preterm infants(p<0.05).

Late preterm infants suffer from NRDS due to a variety of complex pathogenic causes, with numerous complications. Factors such as male fetal gender, placental abnormalities, intrauterine distress, premature rupture of membranes, and gestational diabetes mellitus may increase the risk of NRDS in late preterm infants. In clinical observation, it is necessary to strengthen monitoring efforts and take timely measures to intervene in the course of NRDS.