| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 9
| Issue : 2 | Page : 55-58 |
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The burden of preterm births in Aba, Southeastern Nigeria
B Chigbu, S Onwere, C Aluka, C Kamanu, P Feyi-Waboso, O Okoro
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
S Onwere
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, PMB 7004, Aba
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/9783-1230.139162
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Background: Preterm birth is an important cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Objective: To determine the burden of preterm birth in Aba, Southeastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A review of all preterm deliveries at the maternity hospital annex of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2006 was performed. Results: During the studied period, 5566 women delivered at the hospital. Three hundred and ninety-three of them had preterm birth, giving a preterm birth delivery rate of 7.1% in the hospital. Majority of the women, 229 (58.2%) had late preterm birth. Iatrogenic delivery was responsible for the preterm deliveries in 59 (15%) parturients. The mean of 1-min Apgar score was 5, while the mean of 5-min Apgar score was 7. The mean birth weight of babies was 1700 g (range 550-2800 g) whilst the total number of preterm deaths was 157, giving a preterm mortality rate of 40%. Conclusion: Preterm birth is a burden in Aba, Southeastern Nigeria. Improved care of preterm babies and measures to reduce the burden of preterm birth are urgently needed. |
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