ABSTRACT
Background: Aim of the study was to identify risk factors and to assess neonatal mortality and morbidity associated with preterm delivery in patient attending a tertiary care centre in rural Haryana.Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary Medical College, over a period of one year (January to December). All pre-term deliveries were included in the study. They were followed up from admission till delivery and till discharge from hospital. Various, parameters like maternal age, associated medical disorder, obstetric complications, gestational age, neonatal mortality, need of neonatal intensive care and condition of baby at discharge were analyzed.Results: In the present study, incidence of preterm deliveries was 16.1%. The most common risk factor found to be history of previous abortion (23.6%), preterm premature rupture of membrane (17.1%), Intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) with oligohydramnios (10.5%), hypertensive disorder during pregnancy (5.9%), and antepartum hemorrhage (4.6%). But majority of the patient (56.5%) no cause could be identify. Out of total 160 preterm births 3 were still born and 157 live preterm births, and out of which total Neonatal intensive care (NICU) admission were 60. Mortality rate was 100% in neonate weighing less than 1000 gm and 18% in babies weighing less than 2000 gm.Conclusions: The commonest risk factor for preterm delivery is previous history of abortion and adverse perinatal outcome is inversely proportionate to the period of gestation at the time of delivery. All efforts should be made to prolong the pregnancy beyond 34 weeks by identifying and actively managing the risk factors for better neonatal outcome.