Preterm birth in low-resource setting

Abstract

Preterm labor (PTL) is a global problem which is a complex disease with a high rate of morbidity and mortality, also has long-term consequences for the baby and the family. The well-known morbidities related to PTL are respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, and anemia of prematurity. In a developing country, the management of PTL is limited by poor health systems, low education level of the mother, poor financial support, lack of facility and trained health personnel, and demographic barriers. This limitation leads to high morbidity and mortality of preterm birth, especially in developing countries. It is important to reduce the rate of preterm birth by preventing the event. Several risk factors have been identified and are avoidable and preventable, such as smoking, bacterial infection, poor nutritional status, and malnourished mothers. Strategies to prevent PTL have been proposed in primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality of preterm birth.