title: So, he's a little premature...what's the big deal?
abstract: Health care providers have recently recognized that a large segment of the morbidity associated with preterm birth is disproportionately due to the late preterm infant (LPI). One explanation is that this population is the fastest-growing sector of all preterm births. This article describes the epidemiology and etiology of the LPI, and discusses why the LPI is at an increased risk for complications, such as thermal instability, hypoglycemia, feeding difficulties, respiratory distress, hyperbilirubinemia, and sepsis. The need for emergency department visits after hospital discharge and what is currently known regarding neurodevelopmental outcomes are also presented.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Nursing, 6901 Bertner Avenue, Suite 565, Houston, TX 77459, USA. m.t.verklan@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: M Terese
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Verklan
mesh_terms: D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006932:Hyperbilirubinemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods; D009017:Morbidity; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology