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Research Paper | Pediatrics | India | Volume 12 Issue 12, December 2023 | Rating: 4.9 / 10
Assessing Respiratory Distress in Late Preterm Neonates: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Dr. Akshai Bhagyanathan | Dr. Bhavana Izardar | Dr. Akash S. Mangalgi | Dr. Deva Sahas Raja
Abstract: The rising occurrences of late preterm deliveries underscore the need to assess the specific challenges faced by infants born during this period. However, there is insufficient data on the short-term complications experienced by these neonates in the current study setting. Therefore, the study seeks to investigate respiratory distress in late preterm neonates in a tertiary care hospital. A cross-sectional study was undertaken involving 100 late preterm neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) due to respiratory distress. Subsequently, these infants were monitored to assess short-term outcomes, considering both the duration of hospital stay and mortality. The distribution of gestational ages among neonates was as follows: 35%, 38%, and 27% were born at 34 weeks, 35 weeks, and 36 weeks, respectively. A majority of the infants were male, accounting for 55% of the total. Abnormal chest x-ray findings were noted in 82% of the neonates. The predominant diagnoses included transient tachypnea of newborns, early-onset sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome, meconium aspiration syndrome, birth asphyxia, and congenital heart disease. Hospital stays for 47% of the neonates ranged from 8 to 15 days, while 39% and 14% stayed ?7 and >15 days, respectively. Mortality was observed in 19% of the neonates. Deciding to induce delivery in the late preterm period is a crucial factor in shaping the prognosis for newborns. It requires a careful assessment of both the potential benefits and risks, as a judicious decision can greatly impact the well-being of the infant. Consequently, prolonging pregnancy to a minimum of 36 weeks is anticipated to play a significant role in reducing the severity of respiratory morbidity.
Keywords: Late preterm deliveries, Neonatal respiratory distress, Respiratory morbidity
Edition: Volume 12 Issue 12, December 2023,
Pages: 765 - 767