Late preterm birth is associated with short-term morbidity but not with adverse neurodevelopmental and physical outcomes at 1 year

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2014 Jan;93(1):109-12. doi: 10.1111/aogs.12258. Epub 2013 Oct 15.

Abstract

We compared the neonatal and infant outcomes at one year (Bayley mental and psychomotor development index, and physical growth) of babies who were (n = 63) or were not (n = 100) delivered prior to 37 weeks in women admitted in threatened late preterm labor (34-35(+6) weeks) with a cervix ≤15 mm. The women were part of a clinical trial to investigate the tocolytic effect of the oxytocin antagonist barusiban. Babies born late preterm (34-36(+6) weeks) had a significantly increased risk of short-term morbidity (hepatobiliary disorders, respiratory disorders, metabolic disorders, nervous system disorders, infection; p < 0.05 for each) compared with those born at term, but there were no significant differences in the neurodevelopmental and physical outcomes at one year (p > 0.05 for both one-year outcomes).

Keywords: Preterm birth; long-term outcomes; neonatology; short-term outcomes; tocolysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature*
  • Pregnancy
  • Premature Birth*
  • Risk