Obstetric factors in premature birth

1.1. Of 10,797 labors with subsequent births at the Research and Educational Hospitals of the University of Illinois, 765 labors were premature. There were 52 multiple pregnancies which produced a total of 819 premature infants.2.2. The probable causes of prematurity were chiefly eclamptogenic toxemia, premature detachment of the placenta, syphilis, multiple pregnancy, habitual abortion, placenta previa, nephritic toxemia, heart disease, and pyelitis.3.3. There were 216 premature deaths. Probable causes of prematurity were present with premature death in 143 instances.4.4. The gross infant mortality was 26.3 per cent. Infants under 1,500 gm. had an 87.0 per cent mortality, while those 1,500 gm. and over had a mortality of 14.1 per cent.5.5. A thorough understanding of obstetric complications is of prime importance to manage adequately premature labor. An aqueous solution of corpus luteum extract to control premature uterine contractions is an important adjunct in the management of prematurity.6.6. Skilled autopsy examination by one familiar with premature infant pathology is necessary to determine the cause of death.