Publication:

Maternal risk factors associated with preterm births in a tertiary care hospital

Background Preterm birth remains an important contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in tertiary care settings. Maternal medical and obstetric conditions play a major role in the occurrence of preterm delivery. This study was conducted to assess maternal risk factors associated with preterm births among preterm neonates admitted to a tertiary care neonatal unit.

Methods This hospital-based observational study was conducted in the Neonatal Unit of Government Medical College and Hospital, Cuddalore (dt), Tamil Nadu, over a period of 12 months. Neonates delivered before 37 completed weeks of gestation were included. Data regarding gestational age, sex, maternal medical conditions and neonatal outcome were collected using a pretested proforma and analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results A total of 156 preterm neonates were included during the study period. Late preterm (51.9%) neonates was common in this of the total study population. The most common maternal risk factors were hypothyroidism (21.8%), pregnancy-induced hypertension (20.5%), maternal anaemia (14.1%), pre-eclampsia (10.3%), and gestational diabetes/diabetes complicating pregnancy (10.3%). Among mothers with documented risk factors, 50.6% had one risk factor, 27.5% had two risk factors, 6.4% had three or more risk factors and 15.3% had no risk factors.

Conclusions Maternal risk factors were commonly observed among preterm births, with thyroid dysfunction, hypertensive disorders, anaemia, and diabetes being important contributors. Strengthened antenatal screening, early risk identification, and timely referral may help reduce preterm birth-related morbidity.