Birth weight and gestational age are strongly associated with perinatal mortality and morbidity. This study was conducted to survey the vital statistics of premature and low birthweight infants in the Tainan area. Between July 1991 and April 1992, fifteen medical institutions were included on a voluntary basis: eight from level I (obstetric specialty clinic), six from level II (regional hospital), and one from level III (tertiary care center). A total of 14,307 deliveries were enrolled, accounting for about 60% of the total delivery for that year in the area. The proportions of delivery among level I, II and III were 52%, 41% and 7%, respectively. The incidence of premature singleton live birth was 4.6%, and the percentages of gestation between 20-27 weeks, 28-31 weeks and 32-37 weeks were 0.2%, 0.6% and 3.8%, respectively. The premature births accounted for 3.5%, 4.8% and 11.3% of live births at the level I, II and III hospitals, respectively. The incidence of low birthweight and very low birthweight singleton live births was 4.4% and 0.5%, respectively. The low birthweight births accounted for 3.5%, 4.5% and 11.1% of live births at the level I, II and III hospitals, respectively. The data revealed that the higher the level of hospital, the higher incidences of premature and low birthweight infant. Teenage mothers (< 20 year of age) had higher low birthweight rate. The risk of having low birthweight infants decreased progressively in mothers of age < 20 (6.3%), 20-24 (5.4%), 25-29 (4.1%) and 30-34 (3.8%), whereas it became higher in mothers older than 35 (4.8%).
Conclusion: The incidence of premature and low birthweight births in the Tainan area was low. Teenager or those with maternal age older than 35 year were high risk groups for producing these infants.
PIP: Approximately 60% of deliveries in the Tainan area during July 1991 and April 1992 were registered in a study to assess the extent of premature and low-birth-weight deliveries in the area. 14,307 deliveries were enrolled at 8 obstetric specialty clinics, 6 regional hospitals, and 1 tertiary care center. 52% of deliveries occurred at the obstetric specialty clinics, 41% at the regional hospitals, and 7% at the tertiary care center. There was a 4.6% incidence of premature singleton live births, with the percentages of 20-27 weeks', 28-31 weeks', and 32-37 weeks' gestation being 0.2%, 0.6%, and 3.8%, respectively. The premature births accounted for 3.5%, 4.8%, and 11.3% of the level I-III facility births, respectively. The incidence of low-birth-weight and very-low-birth-weight singleton live births was 4.4% and 0.5%, respectively. Low-birth-weight births accounted for 3.5%, 4.5%, and 11.1% of live births at the level I-III facilities, respectively. Teenage mothers had higher rates of low-birth-weight deliveries, with the risk of having low-birth-weight babies decreasing progressively with age through age 34 years. Mothers over age 35 years ran a higher risk of having low-birth-weight babies.