Preterm birth in rural Malawi: high incidence in ultrasound-dated population.

Background: Preterm birth is the major cause of neonatal death, and has an incidence in industrialized countries of 7%. We have found a high incidence (25-30%) previously in a population of anaemic, pregnant women in southern Malawi, studied with ultrasound dating.

Methods: Cohort study of 512 unselected pregnant women in rural communities in Malawi.