Abstract:

Aim: There is insufficient evidence on which morbidities are more risky for premature babies with small for gestational age (SGA) in addition to prematurity. In our study, it was aimed to evaluate the risks of SGA premature babies with a gestational age of <32 weeks, in terms of morbidities and mortality. Methods: The morbidity and mortality data of SGA infants with a gestational age <32 weeks were compared with infants born at <32 gestational weeks with appropriate birth weight (appropriate for gestational age: AGA). Results: A total of 494 premature infants, including 122 (24.6%) SGA and 372 (75.4%) AGA infants, were enrolled into the study. Infants with SGA had a higher rate of maternal preeclampsia, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and intraventricular bleeding (IVH) than those with AGA. Additionally, the transition time to full enteral nutrition and the length of stay in the intensive care unit were significantly higher in infants with SGA compared to those with AGA (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although the gestational weeks are similar, morbidities of prematurity such as IVH, ROP and NEC are higher in SGA and premature infants, compared to infants with AGA.

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