evaluation of respiratory problems according to week of delivery: a comparative analysis in infants of gestational age 37 weeks

Background: cesarean section deliveries at 37 weeks gestational period are incredibly high in turkey. in order to determine the antenatal characteristics, respiratory morbidity and mortality cases, we have conducted a retrospective cohort study on this popu- lation. methods: 514 infants encountering clinical signs of respiratory distress within 24 hours were enrolled. to compare the differences, infants were categorized into three groups as: late-preterm, early-term and full-term infants. demographic and clinical data were explored. results: early-term infants represented higher rds rates (13.1%; p = 0.033 for early-term and full-term infants; p = 0.338 for early-term and late-preterm infants), meconium aspiration syndrome (p < 0.001 for early-term and late-preterm infants; p < 0.001 for early- term and full-term infants) and lower apgar scores at 5 minutes (6.1 ± 1.98; p < 0.001 for early-term and full-term infants; p = 0.642 for early-term and late-preterm infants). they necessitated conventional mechanical ventilation more often compared to late-preterm and full-term neonates (39.3%; p = 0.050, p = 0.042); however late-preterm infants represented longer intubation periods (p = 0.014, p < 0.001) and intensive care stays (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). conclusions: early-term neonates encounter respiratory problems, morbidities and significant respiratory distress syndrome rates similar to the rates of late preterm neonates and seemed to have a tendency to hypoxic deliveries with low apgar scores. considering the increasing delivery rate at this period, real estimates should be investigated in large, multi-centered prospective studies in terms of both short and long term outcomes.