long-term effects on babies such as poorer neurodevelopmental and educational outcomes, more hospital admissions and increased general disease burden in childhood greater use of health resources long-term effects on disease risk through to adulthood, such as hypertension and diabetes. Spontaneous onset of labour, premature rupture of membranes, antepartum haemorrhage, multiple pregnancy and pregnancy-induced hypertension are the most common causes of preterm birth. Management of maternal hypertension and tobacco use may reduce rates of early preterm birth. Clinical decision-making regarding timing of induction and elective caesarean section affects rates of late preterm birth. Recent investigation by the National Maternity Monitoring found that rates of preterm birth at 34 and 35 weeks’ gestation remained fairly constant over the four years from 2008 to 2011. However, preterm births at 36 weeks’ gestation have increased. This may represent changes in planned preterm births. The National Maternity Monitoring Group recommends that all DHBs should audit preterm births in their region; particularly births at 34, 35 and 36 weeks (National Maternity Monitoring Group 2015 Annual Report - Pg 28 -30). Notes on 2016 data Overall of preterm birth (< 37 weeks’ gestation) varied between DHBs, ranging from 5.2% to 10.1%, and varied more widely between secondary and tertiary facilities, ranging from 0.5% to 11.5%. The latter variation is likely to reflect clinical decision-making on place of birth for women in preterm labour and at risk of iatrogenic preterm birth. Indicator 17: Preterm births, 2016 Figure : Percentage of preterm births, by DHB of residence, 2016 Solid line represents the median percentage of DHBs; dashed lines represent the 25th and 75th percentiles. Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals. Figure : Percentage of preterm births, by facility of birth (secondary and tertiary facilities), 2016 Solid line represents the median percentage of secondary and tertiary facilities; dashed lines represent the 25th and 75th percentiles. Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals. Table : Number and percentage of preterm births, by DHB of residence, 2016 DHB of residence Babies born under 37 weeks’ gestation All babies born Rate (%) (live births) < 32 weeks 32–36 weeks Northland 120 2,269 6.5 28 148 Waitemata 83 468 551 7,988 6.9
long-term effects on babies such as poorer neurodevelopmental and educational outcomes, more hospital admissions and increased general disease burden in childhood greater use of health resources long-term effects on disease risk through to adulthood, such as hypertension and diabetes. Spontaneous onset of labour, premature rupture of membranes, antepartum haemorrhage, multiple pregnancy and pregnancy-induced hypertension are the most common causes of preterm birth. Management of maternal hypertension and tobacco use may reduce rates of early preterm birth. Clinical decision-making regarding timing of induction and elective caesarean section affects rates of late preterm birth. Recent investigation by the National Maternity Monitoring found that rates of preterm birth at 34 and 35 weeks’ gestation remained fairly constant over the four years from 2008 to 2011. However, preterm births at 36 weeks’ gestation have increased. This may represent changes in planned preterm births. The National Maternity Monitoring Group recommends that all DHBs should audit preterm births in their region; particularly births at 34, 35 and 36 weeks (National Maternity Monitoring Group 2015 Annual Report - Pg 28 -30). Notes on 2016 data Overall of preterm birth (< 37 weeks’ gestation) varied between DHBs, ranging from 5.2% to 10.1%, and varied more widely between secondary and tertiary facilities, ranging from 0.5% to 11.5%. The latter variation is likely to reflect clinical decision-making on place of birth for women in preterm labour and at risk of iatrogenic preterm birth. Indicator 17: Preterm births, 2016 Figure : Percentage of preterm births, by DHB of residence, 2016 Solid line represents the median percentage of DHBs; dashed lines represent the 25th and 75th percentiles. Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals. Figure : Percentage of preterm births, by facility of birth (secondary and tertiary facilities), 2016 Solid line represents the median percentage of secondary and tertiary facilities; dashed lines represent the 25th and 75th percentiles. Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals. Table : Number and percentage of preterm births, by DHB of residence, 2016 DHB of residence Babies born under 37 weeks’ gestation All babies born (live births) Rate (%) < 32 weeks 32–36 weeks Northland 28 120 148 2,269 6.5 Waitemata 83 468 551 7,988 6.9