Changes in risk factors for preterm birth in Western Australia 1984-2006

Geoffrey Hammond, A Langridge, Helen Leonard, Ronald Hagan, Peter Jacoby, Nicholas De Klerk, Craig Pennell, Fiona Stanley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Web of Science)

Abstract

Objective
To characterise changing risk factors of preterm birth in Western Australia between 1984 and 2006.

Design
Population-based study.

Setting
Western Australia.

Population
All non-Aboriginal women giving birth to live singleton infants between 1984 and 2006.

Methods
Multinomial, multivariable regression models were used to assess antecedent profiles by preterm status and labour onset types (spontaneous, medically indicated, prelabour rupture of membranes [PROM]). Population attributable fraction (PAF) estimates characterized the contribution of individual antecedents as well as the overall contribution of two antecedent groups: pre-existing medical conditions (including previous obstetric history) and pregnancy complications.

Main outcome measure
Antecedent relationships with preterm birth, stratified by labour onset type.

Results
Marked increases in maternal age and primiparous births were observed. A four-fold increase in the rates of pre-existing medical complications over time was observed. Rates of pregnancy complications remained stable. Multinomial regression showed differences in antecedent profiles across labour onset types. PAF estimates indicated that 50% of medically indicated preterm deliveries could be eliminated after removing six antecedents from the population; estimates for PROM and spontaneous preterm reduction were between 10 and 20%. Variables pertaining to previous and current obstetric complications (previous preterm birth, previous caesarean section, pre-eclampsia and antepartum haemorrhage) were the most influential predictors of preterm birth and adverse labour onset (PROM and medically indicated).

Conclusions
Preterm antecedent profiles have changed markedly over the 23 years studied. Some changes may be attributable to true change, others to advances in surveillance and detection. Still others may signify change in clinical practice.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1051-1060
JournalBJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Volume120
Issue number9
Early online date9 Jul 2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2013

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Changes in risk factors for preterm birth in Western Australia 1984-2006'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this