| Summary |
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive validity of the revised 1994 Preterm Labor/Low Birth Weight Risk Assessment tool of the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources. The convenience sample consisted of 78 patient charts belonging to women who had received prenatal care at the Alamance County Health Department, and delivered during the months of October 1994 through January 1995. The investigator reviewed the charts using her own tool and the Preterm Labor/Low Birth Weight Risk Assessment tool. The ages of the subjects ranged form 14 to 34 years. The majority of the subjects were Caucasian (56.4%), single (74.4%), and primigravidas (43.6%). Of the 78 subjects included in this study, eight were identified as being at high risk for preterm labor and/or low birth weight by the Automatic High Risk indicators on the North Carolina Risk Assessment form. Four of these developed preterm labor, for an incidence rate of 50 percent. Of the remaining 70, five developed preterm labor for an incidence of 7.1 percent. Three women delivered infants weighing < 2500 grams, and two delivered infants weighing < 1500 grams. The North Carolina Preterm Labor/Low Birth Weight Risk Assessment form has a sensitivity of 40.0% and a specificity of 96.9%. Of the risk factors scored by the assessment form, those observed most frequently in this population were single parent (82.1%) and black race (42.3%). Recognizing the importance of risk assessment in the promotion of healthy pregnancies and births, health care providers should continue the use of the revised 1994 North Carolina Preterm Birth/Low Birth Weight Assessment form. With continued use and revision as necessary, we can work toward the goal of The Governor's Commission and the United States Department of Health and Human Services to decrease infant mortality and morbidity by the year 2000. |
