Objective: We sought to compare rates of recurrent spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) and neonatal morbidity between women enrolled in a recurrent PTB prevention clinic compared to those receiving usual care.
Study design: This was a retrospective cohort study of women with a single, nonanomalous fetus and ≥1 spontaneous PTB <35 weeks. Women enrolled in a recurrent PTB prevention clinic were compared to those receiving usual care. The recurrent PTB prevention clinic was consultative and included 3 standardized visits. Usual-care patients were treated by their primary provider. The primary outcome was recurrent spontaneous PTB <37 weeks.
Results: Seventy recurrent PTB prevention clinic and 153 usual-care patients were included. Both groups had similar pregnancy histories. Recurrent PTB prevention clinic patients had increased utilization of resources, had lower rates of recurrent spontaneous PTB (48.6% vs 63.4%, P = .04), delivered later (mean 36.1 vs 34.9 weeks, P = .02), and had lower rates of composite major neonatal morbidity (5.7% vs 16.3%, P = .03).
Conclusion: Women referred to a consultative recurrent PTB prevention clinic had reduced rates of recurrent spontaneous prematurity and major neonatal morbidity.
Copyright © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.