Risk factors of preterm babies: Regarding to gestational age, maternal medical history, delivery mode and influences

Background: The World Health Organization defines preterm birth as any birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation or fewer than 259 days since the first day of woman’s last menstrual period.

Objectives: To identify antepartum, intrapartum, and fetal risk factors of preterm delivery and their effect on neonatal survival.

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted on 185 neonates delivered preterm in neonatal intensive care unit of Misurata Central Hospital, Libya. Retrospective analysis of hospital recorded over a period of one year have be done, that from January to December 2019. Data include the babies’ and mother demographic char­acteristics; antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum risk factors; and APGAR scores of such babies at 1 min; and survival for preterm baby were analyzed.

Results: Majority of cases are born to mothers aged 18-35 years (80%) and that is not significant P≥0.05, while the mode of delivery, C\S was 70% and Antepartum risk factors infection was took the upper hand 40%, and that is highly statistically significant. There is no significant correlation regarding gestational age and gender where P≥0.05, while the weight and APGAR score are highly significant relationship with gestational age (P˂0.05) as shown in.

Conclusion: Majority of cases are borne to mothers aged 18-35 years while the mode of delivery, vaginal delivery was the upper hand in extreme preterm while C\S is of priority of others. Antepartum risk factors were took the upper hand 40%. Male and female equally at risk to be delivered prematurely. APGAR score and birth weight improved with increase the gestational age. The mechanical support is one of the early respiratory in extreme babies that improve survival rate.