Participants
Pregnant women at 34 weeks 0 days to 36 weeks 6 days of gestation and a
probability of delivery in the late preterm period irrespective of
diagnosis were recruited for the study. Also, pregnant women scheduled
for elective/emergency delivery in the late preterm period irrespective
of indication and route of delivery were recruited.
The study was conducted between February 2018 and May 2019 at the
department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and department of Paediatrics
Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika. Recruitment was
stopped when desired sample size was achieved.
Gestational age was calculated from the date of last menstrual period or
early scan (before 20
weeks of gestation).
Probability of delivery is defined as:
Uterine contractions and cervical effacement of ≥ 80%
Preterm labor: Uterine contractions and cervical dilatation of 3cm.
Premature rupture of membranes: Evidence of liquor drainage by the
bedside.