title: Preterm birth and neonatal mortality in China in 2011.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the incidence of preterm birth, its regional distribution, and associated neonatal mortality in mainland China.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a multicenter, hospital-based investigation of preterm birth, 2011 data were obtained from the seven administrative regions of mainland China. Between one and three subcenters were randomly selected for each administrative region, followed by secondary and tertiary hospitals within the chosen subcenters. Data were obtained from women's medical records, and obstetric and perinatal events were summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data for 107,905 deliveries were analyzed, which included 7769 (7.1%) preterm births (occurring between 28 and 37 weeks of pregnancy). The incidence varied among regions. Late preterm birth (between 34 and 37 weeks) accounted for 5495 (70.7%) of preterm births. The neonatal mortality rate was 33 deaths per 1000 live preterm births. Of the 254 neonatal deaths, 147 (57.9%) occurred after very preterm birth (between 28 and 32 weeks). Overall, 4519 (58.2%) preterm births occurred by cesarean.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The distribution of preterm birth across China is unbalanced, and neonatal mortality associated with preterm birth is high.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Liying
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ruan
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Guanghui
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Electronic address: wyzhang9921@163.com.
authors.forename: Weiyuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality
keywords: Mode of delivery; Neonatal mortality; Preterm birth