Maternal risk factors for preterm birth and low birthweight in Cape Verde.

BACKGROUND

Fifteen years after the implementation of an antenatal risk screening program in Cape Verde, the first assessment of an association between maternal obstetric characteristics and preterm birth or low birthweight (LBW) infants was undertaken.

METHODS

A cohort of 353 systematically selected antenatal clinic attenders in the county of Praia, Cape Verde, was studied prospectively during the period October 1991 through December 1992. The cohort was followed past the perinatal period and information was obtained according to a pretested structured questionnaire. In the analysis of preterm birth and LBW, multiple logistic regression was listed to estimate the relative risks of ll background variables.

RESULTS

The prevalence of preterm birth (<37 gestational weeks) was 12%, and the prevalence of LBW infants was 8%. Low birthweight (<2500 grams) was significantly associated with low maternal age (< or = 19 years, RR=3.7); nulliparity (RR=5.2) and obstetric history of previous LBW infant (RR-6.5). The risk of preterm birth was significantly increased if the woman had an obstetric history of hypertension or convulsions (RR=2.6).

CONCLUSIONS

In the setting studied, teenage women and women with previous pregnancy hypertension should be given selective attention in antenatal care to achieve improved pregnancy outcome. Primary prevention is needed to lower the prevalence of teenage pregnancies.