Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON ETIOLOGY, RISK FACTORS, CONSEQUENCES AND TREATMENT PATTERNS IN PRETERM BIRTH

D. Pragna Sree, E. Sushma, A. Gouthami and Ravi Chander Thatipelli*

ABSTRACT

Background: Birth before 37 weeks of gestation is preterm birth. Preterm birth consequences are the leading causes of death among children less than 5 years. Preventing preterm birth remains a challenge as it is multifactorial, in most cases the cause is unknown and varies in different women. Aims: This study was performed to assess the causes, risk factors for preterm delivery and consequences, treatment patterns of premature babies with respect to maternal age. Materials and Methods: An observational study was carried out for 6 months in gynecology department at government maternity hospital, hanamkonda. The data was collected in a specially designed data collection forms, which contains patient demographic details, 17 factors that are known to have an impact on preterm delivery, baby consequences and treatment. Results: During the study period, data was collected from 403 patient’s, majority of preterm delivery arose during 32-37 weeks of gestational age. From our observation the prime cause is oligohydramnios (26.79%), utmost risk factors are low SES i.e., low income, rural (67.99%). Major complications a premature baby face is RDS (50.14%), LBW (49.87%) and a significant treatment given to a premature baby is oxygen therapy (53.34%), incubation (47.64%), phototherapy (13.64%), antibiotics (24.56%) and blood transfusions (6.69%). Conclusion: By early detection of physical, mental, and social problems of a pregnant woman and providing required preventive treatment, counselling during prenatal checkups can decrease preterm deliveries. Bring awareness on long- and short-term consequences a premature baby can face.

Keywords: Preterm Birth, Oligohydramnios, SES, RDS, LBW.