Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

The preterm birth rate has increased over the years in developed and developing countries. Prematurity is a leading cause of neonatal deaths. To reduce neonatal mortality in our country we need to look at the profile of preterm birth. This study attempts to look at the preterm birth rate, morbidity pattern and survival rate and analyse the risk factors for preterm birth born between 28–34 weeks.

This is a observational nested case control study over a period of one year. The cohort included all premature newborm between 28-34weeks gestation. Detailed maternal and neonatal factors were studied and compared in newborns with and without morbidity.

The incidence of preterm deliveries in the 28–34 week gestation is 52 per 1000 deliveries (5.28%). Of them 4.2% were born between 32–34 week and 1.2% were born between 28–31 weeks. The survival rate is 66.67% and 96.3% in the 28–31 and 32–34 weeks gestation respectively The odds of developing morbidity significantly increased with premature labour (OR=10.32, CI 1.34, 79.52; p= 0.025), antepartum haemorrhage (OR=3.02, CI 0.55, 16.55; p=0.019) and decreases with caesarean section (OR=0.04, CI 0.01, 0.29; p=0.001) and twin pregnancy (OR=0.16, CI 0.05, 0.56; p=0.004). Neonatal jaundice and hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy was the commonest cause of morbidity and mortality.

The survival rate is higher with increase in gestational age. The risk factors for morbidity are low birthweight, singleton pregnancy, normal vaginal delivery, premature labour and antepartum haemorrhage.