RTI uses cookies to offer you the best experience online. By clicking “accept” on this website, you opt in and you agree to the use of cookies. If you would like to know more about how RTI uses cookies and how to manage them please view our Privacy Policy here. You can “opt out” or change your mind by visiting: http://optout.aboutads.info/. Click “accept” to agree.
Neonatal outcomes of moderately preterm infants compared to extremely preterm infants
Walsh, M. C., Bell, E. F., Kandefer, S., Saha, S., Carlo, W. A., D'angio, C. T., Laptook, A. R., Sanchez, P. J., Stoll, B. J., Shankaran, S., Van Meurs, K. P., Cook, N., Higgins, R. D., Das, A., Newman, N. S., Schibler, K., Schmidt, B., Cotten, C. M., Poindexter, B. B., ... Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network (2017). Neonatal outcomes of moderately preterm infants compared to extremely preterm infants. Pediatric Research, 82(2), 297-304. https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2017.46
METHODS: To determine the neonatal outcomes of MPT infants across the gestational age spectrum, and to compare these with EPT infants. A prospective observational cohort was formed in 18 level 3-4 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD Neonatal Research Network. Participants included all MPT infants admitted to NICUs and all EPT infants born at sites between January 2012 and November 2013. Antenatal characteristics and neonatal morbidities were abstracted from records using pre-specified definitions by trained neonatal research nurses.
RESULTS: MPT infants experienced morbidities similar to, although at lower rates than, those of EPT infants. The main cause of mortality was congenital malformation, accounting for 43% of deaths. Central Nervous System injury occurred, including intraventricular hemorrhage. Most MPT infants required respiratory support, but sequelae such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia were rare. The primary contributors to hospitalization beyond 36 weeks' gestation were inability to achieve adequate oral intake and persistent apnea.
CONCLUSIONS: MPT infants experience morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. Such morbidity deserves focused research to improve therapeutic and prevention strategies.
