RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A cross-sectional analysis of preterm birth incidence and survival in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 710
OP 718
DO 10.15537/smj.2024.45.7.20240194
VO 45
IS 7
A1 Alghadier, Mshari
A1 Alasraj, Muneera
A1 Elnaggar, Ragab
A1 Alazmi, Mashael
A1 Aldawsari, Asma
A1 Alnadah, Saud
A1 Alqahtani, Faisal
A1 Zaghamir, Donia
YR 2024
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/45/7/710.abstract
AB Objectives: To understand the prevalence and survival rates of preterm birth (PTB) is of utmost importance in informing healthcare planning, improving neonatal care, enhancing maternal and infant health, monitoring long-term outcomes, and guiding policy and advocacy efforts.Methods: The medical records of preterm infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with a diagnosis of prematurity at the Maternity and Children’s Hospital (MCH), Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, were reviewed between January 2018 and December 2022. Data were collected on birth weight (BW), gender, number of live births, gestational age, mortality, nationality, APGAR score, length of stay in the NICU, and maternal details.Results: A total of 9809 live births were identified between 2018 and 2022, of which 139 (3.9%) were born preterm. The overall mortality rate of the included sample was 7.19%, whereas the mortality rate according to BW was 38.4% of those born with extremely low birth weight (ELBW). The most common intrapartum complications were malpresentation (15.1%), placental complications (4.3%), and cord complications (3.6%).Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of PTB in the country, particularly focusing on the vulnerability of extremely preterm babies.