Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this research was to identify how common Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is and explore related factors in late preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted over 1 year (2021). Infants with a gestational age of 34 to 36 weeks were selected using a consecutive, non-probability sampling method. Clinical, neonatal, and maternal factors were analyzed to assess their impact on the prevalence of RDS in this gestational age group. RESULTS: The majority of infants in the study were born at 36 weeks of gestation (36.1%), followed by 34 weeks (34.1%) and 35 weeks (29.7%). Sex distribution showed a slight male predominance (51.7% male, 48.3% female). The prevalence of RDS was 53.0%. Statistically significant associations with RDS were observed for mode of delivery (p=0.005*), incomplete antenatal corticosteroid therapy (p=0.032*), maternal GBS colonization, and gestational diabetes (p=0.025*). CONCLUSION: The study provides comprehensive insights into the prevalence of RDS and its associated factors among late preterm infants. The observed prevalence of 53% highlights the substantial burden of RDS in this population. Understanding the interplay of gestational, neonatal, and maternal factors is crucial for developing tailored interventions and improving neonatal care practices. These findings emphasize the need for ongoing research to enhance preventive strategies and management protocols for RDS in late preterm neonates.