ISSN: 2474-9230
Authors: Upadhyay S*, Sinha M, Sah S, Prasad PL, Baghel J and Gupta S
Background: Neonatal morbidity due to physiologic immaturity has been extensively studied in preterm infants delivered in less than 37 weeks gestation. However, evidence indicates that the infants delivered between 37+0 and 38+6 weeks gestation are also at increased risk for morbidity compared with the infants delivered at 39+0 to 40+6 weeks. Methodology: The present hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted among 150 neonates [75 babies each of early term (37+0 to 38+6 weeks) and full term (39+0 to 40+6 weeks)], born to consenting mothers in a tertiary care referral and teaching hospital, Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Sciences, Bareilly. Apart from maternal demographic and obstetric factors, features of the newborn - APGAR score at 1 & 5 minutes, admission to NICU, and other morbidity indicators such as respiratory distress, hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal sepsis, and prolonged hospital stay (>7 days), etc were recorded and compared. SPSS v21.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age of mothers was 25.27+3.93 years (age range 19-40 years). Early term deliveries were common among older age groups, and full term among younger ones. Full term neonates had a higher APGAR 1-minute score than early term (p = 0.049), but this difference was not significant at 5-minute score (p > 0.05). NICU admission, respiratory distress and jaundice were more common among early term as compared to full term neonates (*p < 0.05). Conclusion: Early term neonates have a significantly higher morbidity and distress as compared to full term neonates. Studies are recommended to develop strategies to reduce early delivery of high-risk pregnancies.
Keywords: Neonatal Outcome; APGAR Score; NICU Admission; Early-Term
