Background: Spontaneous preterm delivery is India's leading cause of neonatal morbidityand is the most common reason for hospitalization during pregnancy. In the present study, we aim to evaluate the risk factors, maternal and neonatal outcomes of preterm birth in a homogenous obstetric population attending a tertiary referral hospital to highlight the areas where further research or intervention is required to prevent preterm birthand improve perinatal outcome.      

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 400 pregnant women diagnosed as preterm labor, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria in Government Medical College, Aurangabad between November 2019 and November 2021.The study is based on history, examination, and findings in women who delivered preterm(28-37 weeks of gestation).The age, parity, previous pregnancy outcome, andrisk factors are identified in this pregnancy, including PIH,GDM, or UTI, were noted. The neonatal outcome was recorded. The data is analyzed using the chi square test.

Results: In the present study, we found that in 72.5 % of preterm cases, the maternal age group was 18-25 years old,  152 (37.97%) participants were Gravida 2, and 232(58.22%) participants delivered between 34.1-37 weeks. Out of 400,168 (42.18%), participants had a history of abortion. According to the present study, the most common high-risk factor among mothers was PPROM (9 %). In addition, 96% of patients delivered vaginally, 4 % delivered by cesarean section. Out of vaginal deliveries, 72. 13 % were born spontaneously, and 27.87% were delivered by elective inductions.

 In the present study, neonates with low birth weight (below 2500 gm )were 308 (75.85%)  cases. Early preterm babies more frequently had low APGAR scores (<7) compared to late preterm babies. Out of 158 babies admitted to NICU, 28 (17.64%) neonates developed Respiratory distress syndrome, 26(16.42%) sepsis, 9(5.87%) intraventricular hemorrhage, 9(5.87%) jaundice, 8(5.29%) Necrotising enterocolitis, 9(5.69%) Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy, 6(3.52 %) pneumonia.

Conclusion:  Preterm labor is challenging yet the unmet goal of maternal and neonatal development. Proper antenatal care will help identify high-risk cases for preterm delivery early and plays a major role in lowering preterm births and improving neonatal outcomes.