Neonatal intensive care unit admissions and their associations with late preterm birth and maternal risk factors in a population-based study

Objective. To assess the association of late preterm births (LPB [34(0/7) - 36(6/7)]) and maternal risk factors with Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admissions. Methods. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data of all who delivered between 2000 and 2008. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square and multivariable logistic regression. Results. During the study period, 259,576 babies were delivered, and 11.6% were admitted to the NICU. Using logistic regression (NICU admission vs. no NICU admission), there was a 9-fold increased risk associated with preterm labor including preterm premature rupture membranes (PTL/PPROM) while LPB and essentially all other maternal risk factors were not significant. C Conclusions. In our study, NICU admissions are more associated with PTL/PPROM rather than LPB and maternal risk factors.