Late preterm and early term birth: Challenges and dilemmas in clinical practice

The major focus of neonatal research for many years has been the smallest and most vulnerable infants born before 32 weeks of gestation. More recently it has become clear that a gradient of risk for adverse outcomes spans the whole spectrum of gestational age, from those born at the margins of viability, to those born close to their estimated date of delivery. Whilst effect sizes may be smaller for the more mature babies born late preterm and early term, the size of the problem is related to very large numbers with less severe difficulties, yet whose problems affect many domains of health, development and education, and may have impact across the whole life course. Our knowledge of the mechanisms and influencing factors contributing to outcomes of individuals born late preterm and early term is inadequate. The unique challenges associated with managing pregnancies, babies, children, adults and families affected by late preterm or early term birth in the face of limited evidence mandate further research to guide practice and optimise short- and long-term outcomes.