OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors for preterm birth and complications in late preterm infants.

METHODSThe clinical data of 287 late preterm infants were retrospectively studied. Two hundred and eighty-eight term infants served as the control group. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with late preterm birth. The common complications in late preterm infants were investigated.

RESULTSSeveral significant risk factors for late preterm birth were identified by logistic regression analysis: twin pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, eclampsia or preeclampsia, placenta previa, placental abruption and premature rupture of membranes. The duration of hospitalization in late preterm infants was longer than that in term infants. The complications were common in late preterm infants, with a high prevalence of anemia, aspiration pneumonia, hypoglycemia and intracranial hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONSThe late preterm infants are much more likely to suffer various complications. It is important to reduce the incidence of late preterm births by decreasing perinatal risk factors above mentioned.