Risk Factors and Neonatal Outcome among Preterm Birth at Basrah Central Hospitals

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) is a major clinical problem associated with perinatal mortality and morbidity. The aim of the present study is to identify risk factors associated with preterm birth and neonatal outcome in Basrah, Iraq. Material and Method: A prospective observational study was conducted over a period of one year from May 2014 to May 2015. About 1145 cases of preterm deliveries were studied in the three main central hospitals in Basra city (Basrah Maternity and Child Hospital, Al-Mwany Hospital and Al-Basrah Hospital). The probable risk factors and the neonatal outcome were recorded and analyzed. Results: Incidence of preterm birth was 2.42%. Presence of factors like multiparty 73.6%, prior miscarriage 41.3%, inter pregnancy interval of < 1 year 39.1%, urinary tract infection 28.4%, cervical incompetence 12.1%, prior preterm birth 12.1%, multiple pregnancies 11.6%, poor socio-economic state were the most frequent risk factor associated with preterm birth. Perinatal death among preterm birth in the study group was 34.7%, antepartum haemorrhage and congenital abnormalities were the common causes of stillbirth, whereas respiratory distress syndrome was the common cause of early neonatal deaths. Neonatal death rate was 84.3% in babies with birth weight less than 1000 grams. Conclusion: The commonest predisposing factors were multiparous, smoker and co smoker, previous miscarriage, inter-pregnancy interval less than one year, infection, and maternal age.