A Retrospective Assessment of Canadian Preterm Birth Prevention Efforts: 1979–1999
- 1 January 1999
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Vol. 3 (2), 93-97
- https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1021853310631
Abstract
Objectives: To assess the achievements and effectiveness of efforts to reduce preterm deliveries through the collaborative efforts of funding agencies, scientists, obstetricians, pediatricians, and health care providers in Canada. Methods: Chronological review of studies carried out in Canada within the past two decades using several methodological approaches, including randomized clinical trials, surveys of women and physicians, and prospective cohort studies. Results: Tertiary prevention by treatment of spontaneous preterm labor with beta-agonists was effective in delaying delivery by 48 hr compared with placebo. Ongoing studies tested the comparative efficacy of oxytocin antagonists to beta-adrenergic agents. Recently, nitric oxyde donors have been tested. Secondary prevention using various approaches showed that high-risk factors could not be modified by these interventions. Before applying primary prevention approaches, surveys disclosed the lack of knowledge among both physicians and pregnant women. Conclusion: A recent Canadian consensus meeting emphasized the potential for success by using multidisciplinary, community-based health promotion approaches to prevent preterm labor; enhancing basic research in predictive markers such as cervical change, infection/inflammation, and psychosocial stress; and increasing political involvement of health decision makers.Keywords
This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit:
- Preterm singleton births--United States, 1989-1996.1999
- Monitoring Women at Risk for Preterm LaborThe New England Journal of Medicine, 1998
- Recent trends in infant mortality rates and proportions of low-birth-weight live births in Canada.1997
- [Pregnant women's knowledge of prematurity in Quebec].1993
- The need for a community-wide approach to promote healthy babies and prevent low birth weight.1993
- Epidemiology of Preterm BirthEpidemiologic Reviews, 1993
- Preterm Birth Prevention in a Rural PracticeJAMA, 1989
- Effective prevention of preterm birth: the French experience measured at Haguenau.1989
- Effects of maternal oral salbutamol therapy on neonatal endocrine status at birth.1987
- [Coefficient of premature delivery risk (C.P.D.R)].1969