Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN 2508-4887
eISSN 2508-4895
    Perinatology. 2016 Dec;27(4):195-204. Korean.
    Published online Dec 31, 2016.
    https://doi.org/10.14734/PN.2016.27.4.195
    Copyright © 2016 The Korean Society of Perinatology
    Review

    Obstetrical Management of Late Preterm Pregnancy

    Jin Hoon Chung, MD, PhD
      • Division of Maternal-fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cheil General Hospital & Women's Healthcare Center, DanKook University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
    • Correspondence to: Jin Hoon Chung, MD, PhD. Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cheil General Hospital & Women's Healthcare Center, 17, Seoae ro 1 Gil, Jung gu, Seoul 04619, Korea. Tel: +82-2-2000-7273, Fax: +82-2-2000-7183, Email: sabi0515@hanmail.net
    Received September 08, 2016; Revised November 01, 2016; Accepted November 08, 2016.

    This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

    Abstract

    The neonatal risks of late preterm (34 0/7-36 6/7 weeks of gestation) births are well established. Late preterm birth results from spontaneous, indicated, and sometime elective indications. Prediction and prevention of preterm birth is currently largely aimed at identifying women at high risk such as those with previous preterm birth, and targeting intervention at this group. Both cervical length assessment and fibronectin testing permit some modification of the likelihood of preterm birth in this group. Progesterone treatment for the prevention of preterm birth is currently being researched widely, and appears a potentially promising strategy. The burden of prematurity can be decreased if elective late preterm delivery is eliminated. However, there are a number of maternal, fetal, and placental complications in which a late preterm delivery is warranted. The timing of delivery in such cases must balance the maternal and newborn risks of late preterm delivery with the risks of further continuation of pregnancy. Decisions regarding timing of delivery must be individualized. The following is a review of obstetric decision-making for late preterm pregnancies.

    Keywords
    Fetal lung maturation; Late preterm birth; Prematurity

    Tables

    Table 1
    Neonatal and Infant Mortality Rates Associated with Late-Preterm and Early-Term Deliveries

    Table 2
    Recommendations for Timing of Delivery When Conditions Complicate Pregnancy at or After 34 Weeks of Gestation

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    MeSH Terms
    Female
    Fibronectins
    Humans
    Infant, Newborn
    Parturition
    Pregnancy*
    Premature Birth
    Progesterone
    Metrics
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