Resuscitation of moderate and late preterm babies in the delivery room: associated factors

Abstract

Objective: To verify the obstetric and neonatal variables related to the need for resuscitation of moderate and late premature NBs in the delivery room. Methods: A cross-sectional study that included 151 moderate and late preterm NBs from a university hospital in southern Brazil. All moderate and late NBs born from May 2016 to May 2017 participated in the study. The collection took place through the participants’ medical records, using their own data collection instrument. Results were presented using frequencies, frequency comparison [Chi-Square] for analysis between the dependent variable [need for resuscitation] and the independent ones. The study followed ethical recommendations. Results: The obstetric factors associated with the need for resuscitation in moderate and late NBs were risk pregnancy (p=0.007), complications during delivery (p=0.031), cesarean section (p=0.005) and premature amniorrhexis (p=0.01). Regarding the association of neonatal factors, we highlight the disproportion of weight for gestational age (p<0.001), lower gestational age (p<0.001) and fetal malformation (p=0.047) as factors related to the need for resuscitation. Conclusion: For the population of moderate and late preterm NBs, factors such as premature amniorrhexis, early gestational age and gestational and delivery complications are factors related to the need for resuscitation. Recognizing these factors contributes to delivery room care management.