[Maternal risk factors and premature birth in a public hospital at west of Mexico].

OBJECTIVE

To identify the maternal risk factors associated with preterm birth.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A case-control study of 158 preterm birth and 158 term newborns, was done from September to December 2002 in the Hospital Civil Dr. Juan I. Menchaca. Gestational age was determined with Capurro simplified method in > 29 week-babies and with last menstruation date in < 29 week-cases. The exposure was documented by a direct interview to the mother and clinical information of the clinical expedient. The association was measured with the odds ratios and confidence interval of 95%.

RESULTS

The frequency of preterm birth was of 3.4 percent of newborn alive, mortality was of 13%. The maternal risk factors associated with preterm birth were: multiple birth (OR: 12.61, IC 95: 3.6-53.0), illnesses during pregnancy (OR: 12.61, IC 95%: 3.6-53.0), premature rupture of amniotic membranes (OR: 7.06, IC 95%: 3.5-14.6), inadequate prenatal care (OR: 4.07, IC 95%: 2.1-7.8), urinary tract infections (OR: 3.20, IC 95%: 1.7-6.2), cervicovaginitis (OR: 2.45, IC 95%: 1.4-4.3) and low socioeconomic level (OR: 1.92, IC 95%: 1.2-3.1).

CONCLUSIONS

The association of maternal risk factors with preterm birth requires more study with special design.