Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Late preterm infants (LPIs) born between 340/7 and 366/7 weeks gestation account for more than three-quarters of preterm birth worldwide. The present study compared morbidity of later preterm infants with term infants. Materials & Methods: 30 late preterm infants and 30 term infants of both genders were enrolled. In all infants, mode of delivery, APGAR score, hypoglycemia, morbidity, jaundice and sepsis etc. was recorded. Results: Group I had 17 males and 13 females and group II had 14 males and 16 females. The mean gestation weeks in group I was 35.2 weeks and in group II was 38.4 weeks, mode of delivery was vaginal in 22 in group I and 15 in group II, cesarean in 8 in group I and 15 in group II, APGAR score at 1 minute was 7.34 in group I and 7.75 in group II, at 5 minute was 8.42 in group I and 8.65 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Sepsis was seen 1 in group I, respiratory morbidity 2 in group I and 1 in group II, hypoglycemia was seen in 3 in group I and 1 in group II and jaundice in 1 in group I and 0 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Late preterm infants were at high risk for hypoglycemia, sepsis, respiratory morbidity and jaundice.