Our Registered Nurse can assist with the identification of Risk Factors for Preterm Births
Established Risk Factors:
¨ Race
¨ Single marital status
¨ Low socioeconomic status
¨ Previous low birth weight or preterm delivery
¨ Multiple second trimester spontaneous abortions
¨ In vitro fertilization pregnancy
¨ Placental abnormalities
¨ Gestational bleeding
¨ Cervical and uterine anomalies
¨ In utero diethylstilbestrol exposure
¨ Multiple gestations
¨ Cigarette smoking
Inconclusive Risk Factors:
¨ Psychosocial stress
¨ Short stature
¨ Low pregnancy weight / low body mass index
¨ Anemia
¨ Employment-related physical activity
Factors for which there are insufficient data:
· Familial and intergenerational factors
· History of infertility
· Use of marijuana and other illicit drugs
· Leisure-time physical activity
· Occupational and environmental toxicants
Probable Risk Factors:
* Urogenital infections
* Cocaine use
* No prenatal care or inadequate prenatal care
* Seasonality
Factors weakly associated or not associated with preterm birth:
· Maternal Age
· Infant sex
· Maternal weight gain
· Dietary intake
· Parity
· Alcohol consumption
· Caffeine intake
· Sexual activity during late pregnancy