IPROC iproc Iproceedings 2369-6893 JMIR Publications Toronto, Canada v4i1e10558 10.2196/10558 Abstract Abstract Risk Factors of Preterm Newborns in Al-Zahraa Hospital /Al Najaf Al Ashraf Province, Iraq 2017 Khader Yousef Wahhab Jewad Abdul Corresponding Author: Abdul Wahhab Jewad alwehab1964@yahoo.com Jan-Dec2018 29 03 2018 4 1 e10558 29 3 2018 29 3 2018 ©Abdul Wahhab Jewad. Originally published in Iproceedings (http://www.iproc.org), 29.03.2018. 2018

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in Iproceedings, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on http://www.iproc.org/, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.

 Background

Preterm is a major determinant of infant mortality and morbidity. It is generally recognized that the etiology of preterm is multifactorial. In Iraq the preterm birth rate in 2010 is generally 6, 5% and deaths due to preterm birth 9%.

 Objective

To determine the risk factors of preterm new-borns in Al Zahra Hospital.

 Methods

A case control study was conducted Between December 2016 - February 2017 in Al Zahra hospital. All preterm newborns and double number of healthy controls were included in this study. Basic demographics and epidemiological data gathered from all cases and controls by direct interviewing the mothers of newborns, to identify potential risk factors. To assess the strength of association the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of odds ratio was calculated.

 Results

The total number of cases was 97, about 62 (64%) of cases were females. Majority of mothers 40 (41%) were at age group 25-34 years and about 30 (41%) of mothers had incomplete antenatal visits. Significant risk factors identified during analysis included female gender [OR=2.31 (1.34-3.99)], Rh incompatibility [OR=3.04(1.33-6.91)], inadequate antenatal care [OR=2 (1.13-3.55)], antepartum hemorrhage [OR=3.37(1.60-6.95)], illiterate mothers [OR=1.87 (1.01-3.43)], History of LBW [OR=11.1(5.46-22.57)], rural residency [OR=2.31(1.34-3.99)], history of abortion [OR=2.50 (1.47-4.25)], birth interval< 2 years [OR=1.77(1.01-2.99)], and extended family [OR=2.08(1.18-3.76)]

 Conclusions

Many risks for preterm newborn can be identified before pregnancy occurs. Health education, socio-economic development, and increasing the use of health services during pregnancy were recommended.