EVALUATION OF TIME OF DELIVERY IN SMALL FOR GESTATIONAL AGE (SGA) FETUSES: EFFECT ON NEONATAL OUTCOMES.

JPUMHS;2025:15:01,188 194. http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2025/15.01.612

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to assess the effect of delivery time on the neonatal outcomes of small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses using a cohort of 385 subjects at a tertiary care facility. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study was performed on 385 SGA infants born in a tertiary care center. Patients were divided according to the gestational age at delivery into early preterm (<34 weeks), late preterm (34-37 weeks), and term (>37 weeks). Neonatal outcomes, such as Apgar score, NICU admission, RDS, sepsis, and perinatal death, were compared between these categories. RESULTS: 95 (24.61%) of the 386 SGA fetuses were delivered early preterm, 134 (34.71%) late preterm, and 157 (40.67%) at term. Neonatal complications were higher in early preterm group significantly, with 77.9% needing NICU admission against 55.2% in late preterm and 19.7% in term delivery (p < 0.05). Incidence of RDS was 56.3% in early preterm, 38.1% in late preterm, and 10.2% in term delivery. Perinatal mortality was 10.5% for early preterm, 3.7% for late preterm, and 1.3% for term deliveries. CONCLUSION: Delay of delivery of SGA fetuses after 34 weeks greatly minimizes neonatal complications and mortality. Individualized evaluation, however, is required to counterweigh risks of intrauterine compromise against complications of preterm delivery.