Maternal predictive factors for preterm birth: A case–control study in Southern Iran

Preterm birth (PTB) is one of the most important factors that increase the risk of chronic diseases and postpartum death in infants. The aim of this study was to determine the maternal factors that affect the birth of preterm infants in the city of Bandar Abbas.

This is a case–control study that was performed on 400 preterm infants. Sampling was done by a simple method, and information was gathered by interviewing the mothers and their medical records. Data were collected by SPSS software version 16. To compare risk factors in the two groups, conditional logistic regression was used, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results showed that factors such as type of delivery (odds ratio [OR] = 3.584, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.981–6.485), preeclampsia (OR = 2.688, 95% CI: 1.164–6.207), history of PTB (OR = 4.171, 95% CI: 1.483–11.728), premature rupture of membranes (OR = 3.273, 95% CI: 1.745–6.137), care during prenatal (OR = 0.334, 95% CI: 0.159–0.701), placental abruption (OR = 3.209, 95% CI: 1.209–8.519), placenta previa (OR = 9.333, 95% CI: 2.086–41.770), and cervical insufficiency (OR = 11, 95% CI: 1.381–87.641) were independent risk factors of preterm infant birth.

The PTB risk is higher for women with cervical insufficiency, history of placenta previa, and history of preterm. Early recognition and management of these high‑risk conditions among pregnant women may lead to a reduction in PTB rates.