Abstract
STUDY OF MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY PATTERN OF LATE PRETERM BABIES

With the increase in frequency of late preterm deliveries and its associated increased rate of adverse short and longterm newborn outcomes, recent attention has focused on the etiology of late preterm births. Aim to study the mortality and morbidity pattern of late preterm infants in comparison to term babies during neonatal period. Late preterm births are more among preterm deliveries. Most common mode of delivery among late preterm babies is spontaneous vaginal delivery. HMD is the most common cause of respiratory distress among late preterm babies. Readmissions after birth hospitalization are more among late preterm babies. Most common cause of readmission is jaundice. Mortality rate is more among late preterm babies due to sepsis. Late-preterm infants are at a greater risk of morbidity and mortality than are term infants. Late-preterm infants are more likely than are term infants to be diagnosed with temperature instability, hypoglycemia, respiratory distress, apnea, jaundice, or feeding difficulties.