Trends in Preterm Births in Italy and Maternal Risk Factors in 2018-2022-A Registry-Based Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nationwide studies described a reduction in preterm birth (PTB) during the Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, but this was not confirmed in others. Very few data are available on the trend of PTBs over a longer period, including the post-pandemic period, and on potential risk factors, especially those associated with social disparities.

Objective

To investigate the trend in PTB rates and the influence of maternal risk factors in Italy from January 2018 to December 2022, based on 12 Regional Birth Registries covering 86.1% of Italian births.

Methods

PTB trend was investigated by an interrupted time series analysis. We assessed the associations of potential risk factors with PTB (Poisson regressions) and calculated their population impact fractions (

SUBMITTER: Rusconi F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11941680 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature