Observing the Maternal Complications and Fetal Morbidity and Mortality of Preterm Birth

Abstract

Introduction: Preterm labor is one of the clinical events that can change a normal pregnancy into a high-risk one for both the mother and the fetus. Preterm labors are thought to be caused by a combination of factors, including decidual bleeding and uterine deformation. Aim of the Study: The aim of the study was to observe the maternal complications of preterm birth. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. The study duration was 6 months, from January to June of 2015. Purposive sampling method was used to select a total of 100 women from those admitted at the study hospital for deliveries according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Result: Most of the patients were from the third decade of life. Majority (61.0%) patients had multi para. Majority (39.0%) patients were gestational age 34 weeks. More than half (53.0%) had infection, among which urinary tract infection were the most common. Neonatal death was 61%, and most common cause of neonatal death was septicemia, followed by respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusion: Most of the patients were in 3rd decade of life, and did not receive regular antenatal check-up. Infection and pre-eclampsia were the most common maternal complications, while respiratory distress syndrome was the most common perinatal morbidity. Septicemia and respiratory distress syndrome were the most common cause of perinatal death.