Unfavourable outcomes associated with late preterm birth: observations from Jordan.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of late preterm birth on neonatal morbidity and neonatal unit admissions compared to full term babies in Amman, Jordan.

METHODS: Data was extracted through retrospective file review from 2009 to 2010, on all singletons born at Queen Alia Hospital in Amman, Jordan. This cross sectional study noted gestational age at birth, weight, admission to the neonatal unit during birth hospitalization, respiratory distress, hypoglycaemia, evaluation for septicaemia, feeding difficulties and significant jaundice. Late preterm infants were compared to those born at term.

RESULTS: There were 2904 (89.3%) term and 348 (10.7%) preterm live singletons. There were 253 (7.8%) late preterm making the rate of late preterm at 253 (72.7%) of all preterm singletons. Among them respiratory morbidities were diagnosed in 2.8% against 13.8% (p < 0.001). Hypoglycaemia was diagnosed in 1.1% against 10.3%. Feeding difficulties were 1.2% against 15.8 % (p < 0.001). Evaluation for sepsis in 2.9% versus 30.8% (p < 0.001). Phototherapy for jaundice was required in 1.2% against 10.7% infants (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Late preterm infants are at higher risk of morbidity and hospitalization than term infants. Treating late preterm infant as almost term and almost normal infants should be avoided.