An Observational Study of Risk Factors Associated With Preterm Delivery in Singleton Live Pregnancy

Abstract Introduction: Prematurity is the most significant problem confronting Obstetrician in today’s world. Preterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. Preterm infants face higher risk of several disabilities including neurodevelopmental impairments, gastrointestinal complications, cerebral palsy, sensory deficits, learning disabilities, and respiratory illness. Risk factors for preterm birth include socioeconomic factors (e.g., physical work, education, domestic violence), maternal health issues (e.g., low weight, advanced age, medical conditions), and fetal conditions (e.g., growth retardation, congenital anomalies). Aim & Objectives: To find risk factors associated with preterm delivery in Singleton live pregnancy. Material & Methods: This was an observational study conducting in Department of obstetrics and gynecology, SMS medical college, Jaipur. An informed consent was taken from all the pregnant women admitted in labour room and fulfill the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All Pregnant women coming in labour room after 28 weeks of pregnancy with labour pain were included. All cases were divided into two groups. Group A consist of all Pregnant women in labour room between 28- < 37 weeks Group B consist of all Pregnant women in labour room with > 37 weeks Results: The mean age in group A was 23.80±3.59 years and mean age in group B was 24.17± 3.72 years. Mean BMI of Group A was 23.05±1.68 and Mean BMI of Group B was23.87±1.73. 61 preterm and 53 term mothers were nullipara, while 39 preterm and 47 term mothers were multipara. Overall maximum no of women i.e. 114(57%) women in our study were nullipara. In Group A 11 females had LSCS and 89 females had NVD while in Group B 9 Females had LSCS and 91 females had NVD. 10 preterm females in Group A and 3 in group B had history of previous preterm delivery whereas in group A 90 females and in group B 97 females had no history of previous preterm delivery. Conclusion: This was concluded from our study that factors such as History of preterm birth, abortion, unbooked mother, with low socio-economic status, hypertension in pregnancy, IUGR, Fetal distress, PROM, Abnormal liquor, vaginal infection and BMI were identified in the study as a risk factor for preterm birth.