Analysis of birth situation and influencing factors of 454 premature infants. A retrospective study

Abstract

Objective: To analyse the birth characteristics and maternal risk factors associated with preterm infants.

Method: The retrospective study was conducted at the Jinshan Branch of Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, China, and comprised data related to mothers and their preterm infants delivered between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2020. Information on maternal age, pregnancy complications, number of births, gestational age at delivery and neonatal outcomes was collected from hospital records to assess risk factors for preterm birth. Data was analysed using SPSS 25.

Results: Among 9,953 total births, 454 (4.56%) were preterm. Of these, 57 (12.56%) were early preterm and 397 (87.44%) were late preterm. The mean gestational age was 34.97 ± 1.60 weeks and the average birth weight was 2,596.87 ± 502.28 g. Independent risk factors included gestational hypertension 56 (12.30%), cholestasis 17 (3.74%), premature rupture of membranes (PROM) 134 (29.52%), hormone use during pregnancy 105 (23.13%), and twin pregnancies 80 (17.62%) (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Key maternal risk factors included gestational hypertension, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, premature rupture of membranes, and multiple gestations.

Key Words: Birth condition, Premature infants, Incidence, Influencing factors.