A Clinical Study of Preterm Birth experienced during Short-term.

Objective : This study was undertaken to evaluate for the clinical characteristics of preterm birth experienced during the short term at Myongii hospital. Methods : This study was done 49 pregnant women and 52 preterm infants who were admitted and delivered under the diagnosis of preterm birth at Myongji hospital from Jan. 1, 2000 to Jun. 30, 2001. The data were collected retrospectively and all charts were reviewed. Results : 1. The incidence of preterm birth was 19.7% (49/249) 2. Age distribution of cases was showed the highest frequency at 36 gestational weeks (24.5%). The mean age was 31.4 years old and peak age was between 31-40 years group. 3. The causes of preterm birth were the preterm labor with premature rupture of membrane (55.1%), the preterm labor without premature rupture of membrane (32.7%), pregnancy-induced hypertension (8.2%), and placental abnormality (4.0%). 4. The incidence of vaginal delivery was 67.3% and the incidence of episiotomy was 49.0%. 5. The incidence of use of steroid before delivery was 26.5%. 6. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was not noted among the all cases. Conclusion : Preterm birth is one of the major causes of perinatal mortality. Several trials including tocolytic agents, steroid, and surfactant are being used for prevention or treatment of preterm birth and RDS. In the future, many cases are needed for the exact evaluation of preterm birth.