Respiratory Risks Associated with Late Preterm Births
Posted on 28. Jul, 2010 by Raven Schneizer in Health
A new study has shown that babies born between the 34th and 37th weeks of pregnancy are at a high risk of developing respiratory illnesses compared to those babies who were born at full term.
The research, led by Dr. Judith Hibbard of the University of Illinois in Chicago, recorded 233,844 deliveries at 19 hospitals across the U.S. between 2002 and 2008.
“Even at 37 weeks, babies were three times more likely to have respiratory distress syndrome compared to babies born at 39- or 40 weeks,” said Hibbard, UIC professor of obstetrics and gynecology.
Hibbard pointed out those respiratory illnesses such as RDS, transient tachypnea, pneumonia and respiratory failure may lead to longer hospitalization or the use of a ventilator. Problems with feeding and a fear that infants will not gain weight properly are also major concerns associated with late preterm births.
According to the study, nine percent of all deliveries were late preterm births, while 37 percent were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit, compared with 7 percent of term infants.
RDS is the most common respiratory illness, occurring in eleven percent of all preterm births
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