Open Journal of Pediatrics, 2018, 8, 117-125 http://www.scirp.org/journal/ojped ISSN Online: 2160-8776 ISSN Print: 2160-8741 DOI: 10.4236/ojped.2018.82014 Apr. 30 2018 117 Open Journal of Pediatrics Risk Factors and Outcome of Preterm Admissions in a Special Care Baby Unit of a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria Martha O. Ochoga 1* , Aondoaseer Michael 1 , Rose O. Abah 1 , Othniel Dabit 1 , Iyornenge Ikuren 1 , Augustine Ebonyi 2 1 Department of Paediatric, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Nigeria 2 Department of Paediatric, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria Abstract The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of preterm births, risk factors and the outcome in a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria. Setting and Methods: The study was based on the data of records of all preterm admissions over a three-year period at Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, Benue State. Results: During this pe- riod, a total of 778 neonates were admitted out of which 95 (12.0%) were pre- term with gestational ages ranging from 21 - 36 weeks with an average mean gestational age 31.27 weeks (±3.2) and birth weights from 500 - 2490 g with a mean of 1440 g (±0.45). There were 48 males and 47 females (M: F 1.02). 76 (80.0%) were delivered by spontaneous vaginal delivery while 19 (20.0%) were delivered by caesarean section. 37 (39.0%) were delivered in BSUTH while 58 (61.0%) were delivered elsewhere and referred or brought into Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). The duration of hospital stay ranged from 1 - 90 days, with a mean duration of 17 days (±15.2 days). The commonest risk factor for prematurity was premature rupture of membrane followed by multiple preg- nancy and lack of Ante natal care (ANC). The commonest morbidity in the patients in the present study was sepsis followed by respiratory problems and jaundice. Of the 95 preterm, 60 (63.2%) were discharged, 27 (28.4%) died, while 8 (8.4%) were discharged against medical advice (DAMA). Conclusion: Prematurity remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our SCBU. There is urgent need for the establishment of a neonatal intensive care unit with adequate manpower and appropriate equipment so as to improve the survival rates of this vulnerable group of patients. Keywords Preterm, Outcome, Gestational Age, Risk Factors, Morbidity How to cite this paper: Ochoga, M.O., Michael, A., Abah, R.O., Dabit, O., Ikuren, I. and Ebonyi, A. (2018) Risk Factors and Outcome of Preterm Admissions in a Spe- cial Care Baby Unit of a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria. Open Journal of Pediatrics, 8, 117-125. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojped.2018.82014 Received: March 30, 2018 Accepted: April 27, 2018 Published: April 30, 2018 Copyright © 2018 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access