Despite the Healthy People 2010 goal to reduce the preterm birth rates to 7.6%, preterm birth rates increased from 11.6% in 1998 to 12..5% in 2004. This rise is attributed to the increasing rates of "near-term" births (34 - 36 6/7 weeks gestation) which in 2002 accounted for 8.5% of all births in the United States. This article explores the unique challenges and implications for nursing care of the late preterm infant.

Program Objectives:

* Define preterm, "near-term" and late term infants.

* Recognize the causes for the increase in preterm/near-term deliveries.

* Identify morbidities in near-term/late preterm vs.term infants and strategies to advocate for this group of infants.

Faculty Name: Sandra L. Gardner, RN MS CNS PNP

Title: Director of Professional Outreach Consultation

Bio: Sandra L. Gardner, RN, MS, CNS, PNP, is Director of Professional Outreach Consultation, a national and international consulting firm established in 1980. Ms Gardner is also co-director and founder of Nurse’s Professional Development and Practice Association, LLC, (NPDPATM).

Ms. Gardner’s writing achievements include a wide variety of articles, pamphlets, chapters, and book reviews. She is co-editor with Gerald B. Merenstein, M.D., of Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care, 6th edition, 2006. She has co-edited with Mary Hagedorn a book entitled Legal Aspects of Maternal Child Nursing Practice, 1997. She is on the editorial board of Neonatal Network, and the Pre & Perinatal Psychology Journal.

Ms. Gardner is an active member of the Colorado Nurses Association/American Nurses Association, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses and The Academy of Neonatal Nursing. She is a founding member of the Colorado Perinatal Care Council, a state advisory council to the Governor and the State Health Department on perinatal/neonatal health care issues.

Program Date: September 2007

Media Format(s): Print (English)

Continuing Education Units: Nurse 1.0 Contact Hour