Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo
Login


Academia Open

 Submit manuscript
Section Medicine

Risk Factors of Preterm Labour Thi Qar Governorate Iraq

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2025): December:
DOI : https://doi.org/10.21070/acopen.10.2025.11557
Published : Jul 9, 2025

Izdihar Nsaif Ali (1), Sara Salih Abdullah (2), Saja Kareem Kamil (3), Khadija Khalid Abdulhassan (4), Zahraa Shakir Waja’an (5), Mujtaba Khaleel (6)

(1) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Thi Qar, Iraq
(2) Medical, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq
(3) Medical, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq
(4) Medical, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq
(5) Medical, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq
(6) Medical, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq
Fulltext View | Download

Abstract:

Background: Preterm birth, defined as delivery between 24 and 37 weeks of gestation, remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Specific Background: It can occur spontaneously or due to medical indications, with risk factors ranging from maternal age and infections to obstetric history. Knowledge Gap: Despite global recognition of these risks, limited data exist on the specific contributing factors in localized hospital settings within developing regions. Aims: This study aimed to identify the predominant factors associated with preterm birth among pregnant women at Bint Huda Hospital. Results: Among 80 women who experienced preterm birth, the majority were aged 20–30 years (66.3%), had primary education (70%), and lived in urban areas (55%). Urinary tract infection emerged as the most significant risk factor (82.5%), followed by premature membrane rupture (27.5%), preeclampsia (25%), and a history of previous preterm birth (25%). Most participants were multiparous (63.8%) and had received good antenatal care (85%). Cesarean section was the dominant mode of delivery (60%). Novelty: This study highlights the prominence of infections, especially urinary tract infections, over traditionally emphasized factors like maternal age or multiple gestations. Implications: The findings underscore the importance of targeted infection prevention and antenatal surveillance to reduce preterm birth rates in similar populations.
Highlights:




  • Urinary tract infection is the most prevalent risk factor.




  • Most preterm births occurred in women with good antenatal care.




  • Cesarean section was the leading mode of delivery.




Keywords: Preterm Birth, Risk Factors, Urinary Tract Infection, Antenatal Care, Cesarean Delivery 


 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

T. L. Callahan and A. B. Caughey, Blueprints Obstetrics & Gynecology, 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer, 2018.

E. Ohuma, A.-B. Moller, E. Bradley, et al., "National, Regional, and Worldwide Estimates of Preterm Birth in 2020, with Trends from 2010: A Systematic Analysis," The Lancet, vol. 402, no. 10409, pp. 1261–1271, 2023, doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00878-4.

F. A. Mahapula, K. Kumpuni, J. P. Mlay, and T. F. Mrema, "Risk Factors Associated with Preterm Birth in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A Case-Control Study," Tanzania Journal of Health Research, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 1–9, 2016.

N. El Beltagy and M. Rocca, "Risk Factors for Preterm Labor Among Women Attending El Shatby Maternity University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt," Archives of Nursing Practice and Care, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 45–49, 2016, doi: 10.17352/anpc.13.045.

S. Beck, D. Wojdyla, H. Carrillo, D. Palmer, and N. Taffa, "Global and Regional Estimates of Preterm Birth Rates in 2010: A Systematic Review," Reproductive Health, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 105–114, 2019.

K. Lim, K. Butt, J. M. Crane, et al., "Ultrasonographic Cervical Length Assessment in Predicting Preterm Birth in Singleton Pregnancies," Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, vol. 33, pp. 486–499, 2011.

R. Arisoy and Y. M. Yayla, "Transvaginal Sonographic Evaluation of the Cervix in Asymptomatic Singleton Pregnancy and Management Options in Short Cervix," Journal of Pregnancy, 2012.

C. F. Turienzo, J. Sandall, and J. L. Peacock, "Models of Antenatal Care to Reduce and Prevent Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," BMJ Open, vol. 6, p. e009044, 2016.

R. J. Baer, J. Yang, V. Berghella, C. D. Chambers, T. R. Coker, M. Kuppermann, et al., "Risk of Preterm Birth by Maternal Age at First and Second Pregnancy and Race/Ethnicity," Journal of Perinatal Medicine, vol. 46, no. 5, pp. 539–546, 2018, doi: 10.1515/jpm-2017-0014.

C. Phillips, Z. Velji, C. Hanly, and A. Metcalfe, "Risk of Recurrent Spontaneous Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," BMJ Open, vol. 7, no. 6, p. e015402, 2017, doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015402.

G. Mulualem, A. Wondim, and A. Woretaw, "The Effect of Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension and Multiple Pregnancies on Preterm Birth in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," BMC Research Notes, vol. 12, p. 91, 2019.

P. Uwambaye, C. Munyanshongore, S. Rulisa, H. Shiau, A. Nuhu, and M. S. Kerr, "Assessing the Association Between Periodontitis and Premature Birth: A Case-Control Study," BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, vol. 21, p. 204, 2021.

F. Fuchs, B. Monet, T. Ducruet, N. Chaillet, and F. Audibert, "Effect of Maternal Age on the Risk of Preterm Birth: A Large Cohort Study," PLoS ONE, vol. 13, p. e0191002, 2018.

P. Uwambaye, C. Munyanshongore, S. Rulisa, H. Shiau, A. Nuhu, and M. S. Kerr, "Assessing the Association Between Periodontitis and Premature Birth: A Case-Control Study," BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, vol. 21, p. 204, 2021. (Duplicate of [12])

A. P. Londero, E. Rossetti, C. Pittini, A. Cagnacci, and L. Driul, "Maternal Age and the Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study," BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, vol. 19, p. 261, 2019.

M. Soltani, H. R. Tabatabaee, S. Saeidinejat, M. Eslahi, H. Yaghoobi, E. Mazloumi, et al., "Assessing the Risk Factors Before Pregnancy of Preterm Births in Iran: A Population-Based Case-Control Study," BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, vol. 19, p. 57, 2019.

M.-A. Mehari, H. Maeruf, C. C. Robles, S. Woldemariam, T. Adhena, M. Mulugeta, et al., "Advanced Maternal Age Pregnancy and Its Adverse Obstetrical and Perinatal Outcomes in Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northern Ethiopia, 2017: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study," BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, vol. 20, p. 60, 2020.

E. Rutayisire, M. Mochama, C. K. Ntihabose, et al., "Maternal, Obstetric and Gynecological Factors Associated with Preterm Birth in Rwanda: Findings from a National Longitudinal Study," BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, vol. 23, p. 365, 2023, doi: 10.1186/s12884-023-05653-y.

A. H. Maslat, "Potential Dangers of Factors Associated with Preterm Delivery in Wasit Governorate," International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics Science, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 53–59, 2024, doi: 10.33545/26649004.2024.v6.i1a.31.

A. Khalil, A. Syngelaki, N. Maiz, Y. Zinevich, and K. H. Nicolaides, "Maternal Age and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome: A Cohort Study," Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, vol. 42, no. 6, pp. 634–643, 2013.

F. Y. Lai, J. A. Johnson, D. Dover, and P. Kaul, "Outcomes of Singleton and Twin Pregnancies Complicated by Pre-Existing Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes: A Population-Based Study in Alberta, Canada, 2005–11," Journal of Diabetes, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 45–55, 2016.

S. Vahanian, J. Lavery, C. Ananth, and A. Vintzileos, "Placental Implantation Abnormalities and Risk of Preterm Delivery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, vol. 213, no. 4 Suppl, pp. S78–S90, 2015.

E. R. Norwitz, C. M. Zelop, D. A. Miller, and D. L. Keefe, Evidence-Based Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell, 2019.

M. Zeidan, "Risk Factors for Preterm Labour in Diyala Governorate: Case-Control Study," Diyala Journal of Medicine, vol. 17, pp. 41–53, 2019, doi: 10.26505/DJM.17024610421.

A. H. Shekoo and M. A. Yalda, "Preterm Delivery: Associated Risk Factors and Neonatal Outcomes in Duhok Hospital for Obstetric and Gynecology," Journal of Duhok University, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 97–104, Nov. 2022. [Online]. Available: https://journal.uod.ac/index.php/uodjournal/article/view/1906.

K. J. Mohamed, N. Kamel, and K. J. Mohamed, "Maternal Iron Deficiency Anemia as a Risk Factor for Preterm Labor in Salaheddin Governorate, Iraq, 2022," NeuroQuantology, vol. 20, pp. 1024–1031, 2022, doi: 10.14704/NQ.2022.20.11.NQ66097.

R. Naik, A. Das, A. Sethy, M. Hembram, and M. Nayak, "Analysis of Preterm Labour and Associated Risk Factors," International Journal of Pharmacological and Clinical Research, vol. 15, no. 5, Art. no. 16, 2025. [Online]. Available: http://impactfactor.org/PDF/IJPCR/15/IJPCR,Vol15,Issue5,Article16.pdf