EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE LATE PRETERM VERSUS TERM BIRTH
Abstract:
The rate of late premature births is increasing worldwide and in Romania. Purpose: To
identify the particular epidemiological aspects associated with preterm compared to term birth.
Materials and methods: The retrospective, case-control study included late preterm infants and term
infants matched for birth weight (± 100 g). Results: The study group included 345 late preterm and 345
term neonates. Comparative analysis of the data of the two groups revealed: mothers of late preterm
infants had a significantly higher mean age, higher number of previous pregnancies, originated more
frequently from urban areas and had higher education background. Significant differences were also
found as regards multiple pregnancies, pregnancies obtained by assisted reproductive techniques, and
delivery circumstances. Conclusion: Late preterm birth is associated, in our study, with advanced
maternal age, multiple pregnancy, use of assisted reproductive techniques, premature rupture of the
amniotic membranes, and birth by caesarean section, consistent with data from the literature.
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