Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 13, 2025

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

11.5K

Short- and Long-Term Consequences of Late-Preterm and Early-Term Birth

Muhammad Arham1, Katarzyna Wróblewska-Seniuk2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 29, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Late-preterm and early-term births pose higher risks for newborns, including respiratory issues and developmental delays. These risks extend into adulthood, impacting long-term health and mortality rates.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Late-preterm (34-36 weeks) and early-term (37-38 weeks) infants were previously considered low-risk, similar to full-term infants.
  • Emerging evidence indicates these infants possess relative physiologic and developmental immaturity.
  • This immaturity contributes to increased risks for neonatal morbidities and long-term adverse outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on the risks associated with late-preterm and early-term births.
  • To identify gaps in the existing literature regarding these risks.
  • To highlight future research directions for improving outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent evidence on neonatal and long-term outcomes.
  • Synthesis of data on morbidities, neurodevelopmental issues, and mortality.
  • Identification of knowledge gaps and areas for future research.

Main Results:

  • Late-preterm and early-term infants face significantly higher risks of neonatal morbidities (e.g., respiratory distress, jaundice, hypoglycemia).
  • These infants exhibit increased susceptibility to neurodevelopmental delays, behavioral problems, and chronic adult diseases.
  • Elevated risks for infant and adult mortality are observed in these populations.

Conclusions:

  • Late-preterm and early-term births are associated with substantial short- and long-term health risks.
  • Current understanding of these risks is evolving, necessitating further research.
  • Optimizing care and interventions for these infants is crucial for improving lifelong health trajectories.

Keywords:
early termepidemiologylate pretermmorbiditymortalityoutcomesrisk factors

More Related Videos

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis06:19

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis

Published on: January 7, 2018

10.5K
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

86.4K

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
2.8K
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
1.2K
Neurulation01:30

Neurulation

Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the...
42.6K
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
3.0K
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
294
Timing and Consequences on Behavior01:08

Timing and Consequences on Behavior

In operant conditioning, the timing of reinforcement is crucial. For animals like rats and cats, immediate reinforcement (within a few seconds) is much more effective than delayed reinforcement. For example, a food reward for a rat needs to follow within 30 seconds of pressing a bar to be effective. 
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant...
153