Maternal and foetal outcome in preterm births in a rural tertiary care centre: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) is one of the main causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality. It can also result in long term health consequences for both mother and the newborn. The objective was to assess maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in PTBs. Methods: A retrospective study was done in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in a tertiary care hospital during January 2020 and June 2020. Ninety-three women with records of preterm births were analyzed for maternal and fetal outcomes. coGuide statistical software was used for data analysis. Results: 48.39% of the women were between 20 to 24 years of age. The majority (50.54%) were primigravida. The main causes for PTB among the study participants were medical disorders (39.78%), PPROM (29.03%), spontaneous labor without any underlying cause (18.28%). 51.61% had a vaginal delivery, 88.17% had a live birth. The majority of 52 (55.91%) neonates had birth weights between 1.51 to 2.5 kg. Fifty-nine neonates (63.44%) needed NICU admission. The reason for NICU admission in majority 25 (26.88%) was respiratory distress. Conclusions: Timely, diagnosis and treatment of medical disorders among antenatal women can aid in reducing the occurrence of preterm births and their associated morbidity and mortality. Medical disorders and premature preterm rupture of membrane remain the main causes of preterm birth.