Gender disparities in preterm neonatal outcomes

Aim: From birth to old age, males generally have poorer disease outcomes compared to females. Preterm infants display a marked gender disparity in disease outcomes, and the underlying mechanisms are not well delineated. Our aim was to review the literature on clinical outcomes between preterm infants of different genders and discuss the potential mechanisms underlying the differences observed.

Methods: A literature review was undertaken for experimental and clinical research related to gender differences in preterm outcomes.

Results: Preterm male infants appear to have consistently worse outcomes compared to females, and the aetiology of these differences, while mostly undetermined, is likely multifactorial.

Conclusion: The male disadvantage in preterm outcomes is likely multifactorial with hormonal, genetic and immunological differences likely playing key roles. Gender is an important variable in preterm outcome and should be considered when designing clinical and experimental research.