Preterm delivery in Ilorin: multiple and teenage pregnancies as major aetiological factors.

This study reports the aetiological factors responsible for 291 preterm births among 5019 deliveries at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) during a 12-month period. It was found that although preterm babies made up 5.8% of all deliveries, they were responsible for 42% perinatal deaths. Important aetiological factors predisposing to preterm delivery included multiple pregnancy in 41.2% and primiparity in 23.4%. One-fifth of the primiparous were teenage mothers. Other factors included premature rupture of membrane, antepartum haemorrhage, grandmultiparity and eclampsia. It is suggested that early identification, monitoring and intervention in these high risk groups will improve gestational duration thereby reducing morbidity and mortality associated with preterm deliveries.