Diurnal influence to the onset of preterm Delivery

ABSTRACT

To analyse the onset of uterine contractions and preterm delivery in order to document any diurnal influence. Hospital records of the patients admitted with the diagnosis of preterm labor were retrieved from January 2003 to February 2007 from Sobhraj Maternity Hospital, Karachi. Time of onset of uterine contractions establishment of preterm labor parity and gender of the baby was noted. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 10 for descriptive and inferential statistics. During the study period, 632 preterm deliveries were recorded. Precise timing of onset of uterine contractions was available in 340 [38.33%] deliveries. Uterine contraction leading to labor started from 200AM to 500AM and 397 babies delivered during the night / early morning [800 PM to 800 AM] and 235 babies were delivered during day [800AM to 800PM] [chi2 = 7.908; p= 0.004]. Among all babies delivered during night / early morning 311 [49.2%] were born between 200AM to 800AM. Preterm labours demonstrate diurnal rhythm. In most of the women, contractions started between 200AM - 500AM and most of the deliveries occurred from 200AM - 800AM