Resumen

VALDES R, Enrique; SEPULVEDA M, Alvaro; CATALAN M, Jorge  y  REYES P, Alvaro. Morbilidad neonatal de los prematuros tardíos en embarazos únicos: estudio de caso-control. Rev. chil. obstet. ginecol. [online]. 2012, vol.77, n.3, pp. 195-200. ISSN 0717-7526.  doi: 10.4067/S0717-75262012000300005.

Objective: To compare neonatal morbidity risks between late preterm (LP) and term deliveries. Methods: Case control study. Medical records in 2007 were reviewed. Major congenital malformations, neuromuscular handicap, twin pregnancies and aneuploidies were excluded. The Study group corresponds to all LP births during that period and the control group to term deliveries in the same period. Neonatal outcomes were collected and different risks were calculated using Chi square test and Fisher exact tests. Results: 1536 deliveries with a LP rate of 7.1% (109 cases) were observed, 62 cases met inclusion criteria. The control group consisted in 124 single term deliveries. LP had 2 times more risk of cesarean section (p=0.0094) than term deliveries. The risk of NICU admission was 88 (p=0.000). Neonatal morbidity risks were: RDS (OR 23, p=0.000), hypoglycemia (OR 6, p=0.014), hypocalcaemia (OR 6, p=0.014), hyperbillirrubinemia (OR 28, p=0.000) and phototherapy (OR 23, p=0.000). There were no differences in necrotizing enterocolitis (p=0.478) and risk of neonatal sepsis (p=0.615). Neonatal mortality was significantly higher in LP babies (p=0.044). Conclusion: LP newborn must be considered as high risk in the neonatal period. These results are important in making clinical decisions about the better time to end pregnancy.

Palabras clave : Late preterm; respiratory distress syndrome; mortality; neonatal morbidity; perinatal outcome.