Publication:

Risk factors and pregnancy outcomes of preterm birth at a tertiary hospital in Vietnam

Background Preterm birth remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Methods A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 272 women (136 preterm and 136 term deliveries) at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from April 2024 to May 2025. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors.

Results Independent risk factors for preterm birth included adverse marital status (aOR=23.56; 95% CI: 2.87-193.55), history of preterm birth (aOR=8.77; 95% CI: 2.69-28.61), premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (aOR=2.4; 95% CI: 1.16-4.85), abnormal amniotic fluid volume (aOR=3.87; 95% CI: 1.66-9.03), anemia (aOR=2.35; 95% CI: 1.20-4.61), preeclampsia (aOR=5.99; 95% CI: 2.12-16.95) and leukocytosis ≥15×109/L (aOR=4.74; 95% CI: 1.86-12.11). Most cases were late preterm (76.5%). Neonatal outcomes were generally favorable, with 97.0% achieving Apgar scores of 8-10 at 5 minutes and a mortality rate of 1.5%.

Conclusions Preterm birth is associated with multiple independent clinical and socio-demographic factors. Early identification of high-risk pregnancies may improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.