Recent advances in the prevention of preterm birth
Open Access
- 18 July 2017
- journal article
- review article
- Published by F1000 Research Ltd in F1000Research
- Vol. 6, 1139
- https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.11385.1
Abstract
Preterm birth (PTB) remains a major obstetric healthcare problem and a significant contributor to perinatal morbidity, mortality, and long-term disability. Over the past few decades, the perinatal outcomes of preterm neonates have improved markedly through research and advances in neonatal care, whereas rates of spontaneous PTB have essentially remained static. However, research into causal pathways and new diagnostic and treatment modalities is now bearing fruit and translational initiatives are beginning to impact upon PTB rates. Successful PTB prevention requires a multifaceted approach, combining public health and educational programs, lifestyle modification, access to/optimisation of obstetric healthcare, effective prediction and diagnostic modalities, and the application of effective, targeted interventions. Progress has been made in some of these areas, although there remain areas of controversy and uncertainty. Attention is now being directed to areas where greater gains can be achieved. In this mini-review, we will briefly and selectively review a range of PTB prevention strategies and initiatives where progress has been made and where exciting opportunities await exploitation, evaluation, and implementation.This publication has 131 references indexed in Scilit:
- Can statins prevent pregnancy complications?Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 2014
- Ureaplasmaspecies: role in neonatal morbidities and outcomesArchives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal & Neonatal, 2013
- Bacterial aetiological agents of intra-amniotic infections and preterm birth in pregnant womenFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2013
- Pregnancy outcomes in a recurrent preterm birth prevention clinicAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2011
- Global report on preterm birth and stillbirth (1 of 7): definitions, description of the burden and opportunities to improve dataBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2010
- The worldwide incidence of preterm birth: a systematic review of maternal mortality and morbidityBulletin of the World Health Organization, 2010
- Predictive value for preterm birth of abnormal vaginal flora, bacterial vaginosis and aerobic vaginitis during the first trimester of pregnancyBJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2009
- Non‐stereoselective reversal of neuropathic pain by naloxone and naltrexone: involvement of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4)European Journal of Neuroscience, 2008
- Progesterone Receptors and Neural Development: A Gap between Bench and Bedside?Endocrinology, 2008
- Prospective randomised controlled trial of an infection screening programme to reduce the rate of preterm deliveryBMJ, 2004