956 Born at 32-36 Weeks - Is this a Problem?

Abstract

Aim: To describe morbidity and mortality for infants born with GA 32-36 weeks in a Danish County.

Material and Methods: Included were all infants with GA 32-36 weeks, born 2000-2006 and admitted to the neonatal unit at Hospital Lillebaelt. Data is from “Neobase” with data on treatment for all admissions. Further data on survival by the end of 2009 was included. Total births in the county were 32339.

Results: The study included 1252 infants. Prevalence of births 32-36 weeks was 39 pr 1000 births. 447 infants (36 %) were from a multiple pregnancy. Twenty infants (1.6 %) died, 14 within the first week, 3 within 40 days and 3 within 6 months. The majority of infants (17, 85%) died with major congenital malformations.

More than half of the infants were delivered by Caesarean section (640, 51%). 465 infants (37%) were treated with CPAP and 346 for more than 1 day. Fifty-one infants (4%) received surfactant treatment and 6 of these died. 467 infants (37%) received treatment for hypoglycemia and 289 needed glucose infusion. NEC was suspected clinically in only 1 infant.

Conclusions: 3.9 % of all newborns in the population were admitted to the neonatal unit for treatment for moderate preterm birth. Infants born within GA 32-36 often need respiratory support. Mortality is much lower than for infants born with GA < 32 weeks, where a similar study from the “Neobase” showed a mortality of 11%, but higher than for term born infants. Mortality is mainly due to congenital malformations.

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