Causes, survival rates, and short-term outcomes of preterm births in a tertiary hospital in a low resource setting: An observational cohort study

BACKGROUND: Prematurity is the most important cause of death among children under the age of five years. Globally, most preterm births occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. Subsequent prematurity leads to significant neonatal morbidity, mortality and long-term disabilities. This study aimed to determine the causes, survival rates and outcomes of preterm births up to six weeks of corrected age in Ghana. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational prospective cohort study of infants born preterm was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Accra, Ghana from August 2019 to March 2020. Inclusion was performed within 48 h after birth of surviving infants; multiple pregnancies and stillbirths were excluded. Causes of preterm birth were categorized as spontaneous (including preterm pre-labour rupture of membranes) or provider-initiated (medically indicated birth based on maternal or fetal indications). Survival rates and adverse outcomes were assessed at six weeks of corrected age. Recruitment and follow-up were suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Descriptive statistics and differences between determinants were calculated using Chi-squared tests or Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Of the 758 preterm deliveries, 654 (86.3%) infants were born alive. 179 were enrolled in the cohort and were analyzed. Nine (5%) were extremely preterm [gestational age (GA) < 28 weeks], 40 (22%) very preterm (GA 28–31 weeks), and 130 (73%) moderate to late preterm (GA 32–37 weeks) births. Most deliveries (n = 116, 65%) were provider-initiated, often due to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (n = 79, 44.1%). Sixty-two infants were followed-up out of which fifty-two survived, presenting a survival rate of 84% (n = 52/62) at six weeks corrected age in this group. Most infants (90%, n = 47/52) experienced complications, predominantly consisted of NICU admission (92%) and interval illnesses (21%) including jaundice and sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of adverse outcomes associated with preterm birth in a tertiary facility with NICU capacity is high. Larger longitudinal studies are needed for an in-depth understanding of the causes and longer-term outcomes of preterm birth, and to identify effective strategies to improve outcomes in resource constrained settings.