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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- More pregnant women than ever are having late preterm births and many people are unaware of the risks involved.
A recent study shows late preterm babies, infants delivered about four to six weeks before a mother's due date, are more likely to develop neurological problems than full term infants.
The research looked at 140,000 babies born between 2000 and 2004. The study revealed late preterm babies were more than three times likely to be diagnosed with cerebral palsy as those carried full term. Researchers also learned late term babies were at an increased risk for developmental delay and mental retardation.
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"The negative outcomes of many babies born late preterm can no longer be described as temporary or benign" lead researcher Dr. Joann Petrini of the March of Dimes was quoted as saying. Dr. Petrini also said late term babies may benefit from neuron developmental assessments and also stressed elective delivery through cesarean section or induction should not be performed before 39 weeks unless medically necessary.
Source: The Journal of Pediatrics, December 2008
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