Late Preterm Pregnancy and the Newborn, An Issue of Clinics in Perinatology

Preterm births at gestational ages between 34 through 36 completed weeks account for a significant proportion of all births in the United States and worldwide. Studies have shown that compared to term infants, these near term infants are more prone to neonatal and post-natal morbidities, and are more likely to be rehospitalized. This issue will provide an overview of the physiology of the late gestation pregnancy and birth, and cover a broad range of neonatal problems encountered in these infants including respiratory distress, jaundice, feeding problems, and neurologic injury. This issue will be of value to obstetricians, pediatricians, neonatologists, and other health professionals involved in the care of late gestation births.