Journal of Clinical Medicine
Association Between Birth Timing and Early Clinical Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants: A Retrospective Cohort Study
By Muhammet Asena, Duygu Tunçel, Leyla Şero and 1 others.
Abstract
Background
The effect of birth timing on outcomes in very preterm infants remains controversial. This study evaluated the association between birth timing and early morbidity and mortality in infants born before 32 weeks of gestation.
Methods
In this retrospective single-center cohort study, inborn infants born at <32 weeks’ gestation between January 2021 and May 2023 were categorized as in-hours (weekdays 08:01–16:00) or out-of-hours (weekdays 16:01–08:00, weekends, official holidays). The primary outcome was a composite of early mortality (≤72 h) or severe intraventricular hemorrhage (grades III–IV). Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for baseline confounders (Model 1); delivery-room resuscitation, a potential mediator, was added in Model 2.