Preterm birth and preterm infants in Beijing regional district

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and relevant information of preterm birth and the outcomes of preterm infants delivered at various gestational weeks and for different causes. METHODS: Totally 955 women who ended their pregnancies before term and 1066 neonates of the previous mothers were enrolled in this survey among 15197 deliveries at Peking University First Hospital Beijing Gynecological and Obstetric Hospital Womens and Childrens Hospital of Haidian District and Peking University Third Hospital respectively from December 1(st) 2006 to May 31(st) 2007. RESULTS: (1) Incidence of preterm birth: the overall incidence of preterm birth of the 4 hospitals was 6.3% (955/15 197) and it was 8.1% (125/1549) in Peking University First Hospital 13.1% (150/1142) which was the highest (P 0.05). (5) Neonatal outcomes at different gestational age: the recovery rate of preterm infants delivered at or = 32 weeks (P or = 34 weeks. More infants delivered or = 32 weeks with the neonatal mortality rate of 22.1% for those delivered at or = 34 weeks (P 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Preterm birth is associated with high perinatal mortality rate especially for those delivered before 32 weeks which would be highlighted in prevention. Reduction of the iatrogenic preterm birth combined with proper prevention of PPROM is an important issue in decreasing the prevalence of preterm birth.