Browsing by Author "Brink, Lucy Theresa"

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    A critical analysis of preterm birth in a largely homogeneous community near Tygerberg Academic Hospital with a high prevalence of preterm birth
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-11) Brink, Lucy Theresa; Odendaal, Hendrik Johannes; Hall, David Raymond; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is a high priority to address the heavy burden of preterm birth (PTB) on a low- to middle- class community in the Western Cape Province of South Africa (SA), where the Safe Passage Study (SPS) by the PASS Network was conducted. The latter study was undertaken to determine the role of alcohol consumption in stillbirths and sudden infant deaths. We documented a high rate (13.8%) of PTB in that community. Preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks) is one of the most common causes of perinatally related deaths at Tygerberg Academic Hospital (TAH), the tertiary referral hospital for the community. Complications of PTB also account for 75% of perinatal mortalities and more than 50% of chronic infant morbidities and therefore remains one of the greatest challenges in obstetrics. Perinatal outcome is particularly susceptible to socioeconomic conditions that have profound effects on the health of individuals and communities. SA has one of the highest levels of alcohol consumption (including binge drinking i.e. drinking four or more standard drinks during one sitting) as well as concomitant smoking in certain communities. Individuals with low socioeconomic status experience greater exposure to stress and are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviours such as smoking, drinking and drug use during pregnancy, which may contribute to adverse birth outcomes. Despite the attention given to PTB in medical research, the aetiology remains largely unexplained, and placental pathology may illuminate the clinical understanding thereof. Increasing evidence indicates that placental dysfunction is an important risk factor for PTB, but contexts differ and information from low-income-countries is lacking.