title: Late preterm births: a retrospective analysis of the morbidity risk stratified for gestational age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Late-preterm births are considered functionally mature but, several line of evidences suggest that, compared with term neonates, they have a higher risk of complications. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of maior clinical complications of late preterm infants born in our division, compared to those born at term.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analysed late preterm deliveries occurred in a twenty-months period. Late preterms were divided in 3 sub-groups according to gestational age at delivery: 34 0/6 , 35 0/6 , 36 0/6 weeks of gestation. The incidence of maior clinical complications was evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed by using the Z- test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among term deliveries 17.24% were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and 69.01% presented one major adverse outcome: 25.35% jaundice, 25.35% hypoglycemia , 11.26% RDS , 4.22% intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), 4,22% anemia. The incidence of IVH was significantly higher only at 340/6 weeks of gestation compared to term infants. The incidence of anemia and RDS was significantly higher at 34 0/6 and 35 0/6 weeks of gestation, but it was not significantly different at 36 weeks of gestation, compared to full-term infants. Finally, the incidence of hypoglycemia and jaundice results significantly higher in all the 3 sub groups of late preterms, compared to full term infants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results demostrated an increased risk of morbidity in the late preterm period. Results also showed that the gestational age at delivery of late preterms can influence the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes.
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Foggia, Viale Pinto, 71100 Foggia, Italy.
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Marrocchella
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Foggia, Viale Pinto, 71100 Foggia, Italy.
authors: Veronica
authors: V
authors: Sestilli
authors: Operative Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Civitanova Marche, Area 249 Vasta 3, Marche, Italy.
authors: Ugo
authors: U
authors: Indraccolo
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Foggia, Viale Pinto, 71100 Foggia, Italy.
authors: Filomena
authors: F
authors: de Rosario
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors: Lara
authors: L
authors: Castellana
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Foggia, Viale Pinto, 71100 Foggia, Italy.
authors: Anna Lucia
authors: AL
authors: Mastricci
authors: Operative Unit of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - Ospedali Riuniti di Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Calo'
authors: Operative Unit of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - Ospedali Riuniti di Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors: Rosario
authors: R
authors: Magaldi
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Foggia, Viale Pinto, 71100 Foggia, Italy.
authors: Antongiulio
authors: A
authors: Del Bianco
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Foggia, Viale Pinto, 71100 Foggia, Italy.
authors: Pantaleo
authors: P
authors: Greco
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Foggia, Viale Pinto, 71100 Foggia, Italy.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Matteo