Autonomic signatures of late preterm, early term, and full term neonates during early postnatal life

Late preterm and early term births account for ~25% of live births. Infants born prior to term are at significantly higher risk for subsequent morbidity and mortality. Determine autonomic regulation differences in infants (35–40 weeks gestation) during sleep at birth and one-month after delivery. Consecutive enrollment until at least 20 infants per group: 75 late preterm (35–36 weeks gestation), 110 early term (37–38 weeks), and 130 full term (39–40 weeks). Assess autonomic parameters 12–84 h after delivery and again at one month of life. 329 newborns met inclusion criteria. Exclusions: maternal age