Short-Term Neonatal Outcomes Associated with Late Preterm Deliveries: A Retrospective Study in Sri Lanka

Author(s): Champika G. Maggonage*, Lakshrini Gunarathne, Sandya Bandara, Sibra R. M. Shihab

Background: Increasing morbidity and mortality of late preterm neonates, born between 34 and 36 (+ 6 days) weeks, is a growing global health concern. This study investigated the incidence and severity of late preterm birth (LPB) and associated early neonatal complications in a Sri Lankan cohort of late preterm neonates.

Methods and Findings: A total of 138 subjects were retrospectively included in the study following strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Short-term neonatal complications developed in the first two weeks of life or during the hospital stay were collected from hospital records. The incidence of LPB of the total preterm births (n=445) was 31%. A total of 49.3% (68/138) of subjects experienced at least one measured complication; jaundice (34.8%), infection (27.7%), respiratory distress (23.9%), hypothermia (17.4%), feeding problems (15.9%) and hypoglycemia (5.1%), while 42.8% (59/138) were admitted to the neonatal unit. The mean birth weight of the subjects was 2334.6 g, whereas 63.8% (88/138) had low birth weight and admitted to neonatal unit due to severe complications (p=0.0001). Moreover, vaginal delivery had significantly fewer complications than other modes of delivery (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: The presence of neonatal morbidity in the study cohort was significant. Therefore, obstetric practice regarding the timing of delivery after 34 weeks of gestation and antenatal management strategies should be re-assessed to reduce late preterm morbidities.