A study of etiology and outcome of preterm birth at a tertiary care centre

Background: Preterm births are still the leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. It is a major challenge in the obstetrical health care.Methods: This study was conducted over a period of eight months from September 2016 till April 2017 at a tertiary care hospital. All patients who delivered a live baby before 37 weeks of gestation were included in the study.Results: Present study was conducted on 100 eligible women out of which 7 delivered before 30 weeks but majority of them (55%) delivered after 34 weeks of gestation. In our study, most of the patients (66%) presented in active phase of labor which resulted in preterm birth of baby. The most common risk factor of preterm labor was genitourinary tract infections (34%) followed by Preterm Premature rupture of membranes (22%). Past obstetric history of preterm delivery and abortions also had a significant impact on the present pregnancy outcome.Conclusions: Preterm labour and birth still have a high incidence causing significant neonatal mortality and morbidity as well as economic burden on family and hospital. The causes of preterm birth are multifactorial and modifiable. This incidence can be reduced by early identification of established risk factors, as revisited and reemphasized in our study, with the help of universal and proper antenatal care