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Respiratory morbidities in late preterm and term infants with myelomeningocele

Journal of Perinatology volume 38, pages 1542–1547 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To describe the incidence of respiratory morbidities in late preterm and term newborns with myelomeningocele (MMC) born by c-section.

Study Design

Single center retrospective cohort study of infants born between 34 0/7 and 40 6/7 weeks gestation with the diagnosis of MMC. The primary outcome was the incidence of respiratory morbidities and the secondary outcome was caffeine treatment for apnea at discharge.

Results

A total of  293 infants with MMC born by cesarean section were included in this cohort: 106 born late preterm, 120 early term, and 67 at term. Respiratory morbidity was present in 50.5% within the first 24 h after birth. Treatment with caffeine for persistent apnea or periodic breathing at discharge was present in 17.8% with an overall incidence of apnea throughout the hospital admission of 20.5%.

Conclusion

There is a markedly increased risk of respiratory distress in late preterm and term infants with myelomeningocele at all gestational ages.

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Author contributions

Dr. Fraga conceptualized, designed the study, designed data collection instruments, collected data and drafted the initial manuscript. Dr. Giaccone conceptualized, designed the study, carried out statistical analyses and reviewed and revised the manuscript. Dr. Adzick critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pediatrics and Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    María V. Fraga, Annie Giaccone & N. Scott Adzick

Authors
  1. María V. Fraga
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  2. Annie Giaccone
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  3. N. Scott Adzick
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to María V. Fraga.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Fraga, M.V., Giaccone, A. & Adzick, N.S. Respiratory morbidities in late preterm and term infants with myelomeningocele. J Perinatol 38, 1542–1547 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0210-z

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