Epidemiology of preterm deliveries in Southeast Brazil: a hospital-based study

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the role of some factors in the genesis of preterm deliveries in Southeast Brazil. METHODS: a cohort hospital-based study of 589 mothers who delivered in Taubaté, a middle-size city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, between May 1, and October 31, 1999. The statistical approach was Risk Ratio with statistical significance established at alpha: 5%. RESULTS: 70 preterm newborns were identified representing 11,9% of the total birth rate. The variables holding statistical significance were: previous history of stillbirth delivery, smoking during pregnancy, poor weight gain, arterial hypertension, vaginal bleeding, genitourinary tract infection and five or less medical visits for prenatal care. CONCLUSIONS: this study indicates that good quality prenatal care has a great value in preventing preterm births, for poor weight gain, arterial hypertension, vaginal bleeding, genitourinary tract infection and smoking are conditions that can be controlled in the course of pregnancy.