Author(s):
Kavita Choudhary, Urmila Kumari, Premlata Mital, Deepa Chaudhary, Priya Sonkhya, Saloni Sethi, Ankita Chaudhary, Aditi Arora, Vikash Kumari Kasana
Abstract:
Introduction: Preterm birth is a global problem with prevalence ranging from 6 – 12% all over the world. Various risk factors associated with preterm births have been widely studied in developed countries and identified certain obstetric and non-obstetric factors that are correlated with occurrence of preterm births. The present study aimed to find incidence of preterm delivery in our institute and to identify the various factors associated with preterm birth.
Material and Method: 100 consecutive women, who were willing to participate, with singleton live pregnancy and gestational age between 24 – 40 weeks admitted in labour room for delivery were included and monitored till delivery. Data were analyzed.
Results: The incidence of preterm in our center was 19%. Prior history of preterm birth (OR 15) and abortions (OR 3.7), APH (OR 9.4118), Tobaco/alcohol use (OR 7.4063), UTI (OR 5.133) and illiteracy (OR 4.2115) were strongly associated with an increased risk of preterm labor. Other risk factors identified were maternal age >35 years (OR 2.1), interpregnancy interval <3 years (OR 3), inadequate ANC visit (OR 2.9951), unplanned pregnancy (OR 2.4136), PROM ((OR 2.9545) and anemia (OR 2.5714).
Conclusion: Preterm delivery is still a challenging maternal health problem. Most of the factors found to be associated with preterm birth, are modifiable. Early identification of these factors and appropriate and innovative preventive intervention, customized individual’s need may prevent preterm births and improve foetal outcomes.