RISK-FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PRETERM (LESS-THAN-37-THAN-32+0 WEEKS) -UNIVARIATE AND MULTIVARIATE-ANALYSIS OF 106,345 SINGLETON BIRTHS FROMTHE 1994 STATEWIDE PERINATAL SURVEY OF BAVARIA(0 WEEKS) AND EARLY PRETERM BIRTH (LESS)

Objective: The study was conducted to identify medical, obstetrical an d social risk factors associated with early preterm births (less-than 32+/-0 gestational weeks). Study design: The Statewide Perinatal Surve y of Bavaria is a collection of perinatal data from all Bavarian mater nity units using a uniform numbered questionnaire. Data on 106,345 sin gleton births from the 1994 Survey were analysed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: In the multivariat e analysis, early preterm birth was associated with premature rupture of the membranes (odds ratio (OR) 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1. 37-1.86), treatment for infertility (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.19-2.34), previo us induced abortion (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.57-2.13), maternal age greater-t han 35 years (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.47-2.16), premature cervical dilatation (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.86-2.94), a history of stillbirth (OR 3.2, 95% CI 2 .13-4.83), a history of preterm birth (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.45-4.48), mate rnal age greater-than 18 years (OR 3.4, 95% CI 2.03-5.61), malpresenta tion (OR 3.9, 95% CI 3.10-4.93), preeclampsia (OR 4.0, 95% CI 3.20-4.9 4), uterine bleeding (OR 5.0, 95% CI 4.08-6.02), preterm labour (OR 7. 0, 95% CI 5.94-8.22), and chorioamnionitis (OR 22.3, 95% CI 17.40-28.6 6). Conclusion: These data identify a subgroup of women at an increase d risk for early preterm birth and may benefit from an intensified pre natal care. Risk factors related to the obstetrical history, genital i nfections, preeclampsia and maternal age are the most relevant for ear ly preterm birth. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights re served.