Babies born between 34 and 36 weeks at higher risk of recurrent hospitalisation

Newly published medical research has shown that late premature birth increases children's risk of recurrent hospitalisation for respiratory illness.

A new study of children up to two years of age showed that those born late preterm (between 34 and 36 weeks) had a significantly greater risk of recurrent hospitalisation due to respiratory illness compared to those who were born full term (after 37 weeks). The repeat hospital visits also occurred at an earlier age in the late preterm birth group of children, according to an article in Paediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology. Dr Oded Breuer and coauthors from the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Centre in Israel found that children born at this stage required hospital treatment mainly for wheezing-related illness. The journal's editor-in-Chief Dr Mary Cataletto, who is also a professor of clinical paediatrics, says the number of late-premature babies is growing:

"Late preterm infants comprise the largest segment of premature infants and their numbers are growing. There have been few studies looking at the long-term outcomes of these children and the respiratory risks they face. The study is an important contribution highlighting the respiratory risks and morbidity in late preterm births beyond the first few months of life."

Irish Premature Babies, a charity who provide help, support, and information to the parents of premies say that preterm birth rates are increasing in many countries: