Pharmacologic Inhibition of Preterm labor

Abstract

A preterm birth is any birth, regardless of birthweight, that occurs before 3 7 menstrual weeks' gestation. It is clearly pointed out that low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth are not equivalent concepts.

Preterm birth is directly responsible for 75 to 90% of all neonatal deaths not due to lethal congenital malformations. The incidence of preterm birth has been reported to be 5-10 % of all births and this rate varies between populations. it has been estimated that approximately 13 million infant are born preterm each year world-wide. indicated preterm births ranged from 18.7% to 35.2% of all preterm delivery,

Preterm birth accounts for vast majority of perinatal mortality and both shot-term and long-term neonatal morbidity. The major diseases are due to organ immaturity and their incidence and severity are inversely proportional to gestational age.

Although, the exact cause of preterm labour remains unclear, it is most likely to be multifactorial in nature. Many scoring systems have been invented, although still unsatifactory, to categorize the patient at high risk for occurrence of preterm labour.

Previous reproductive history has been discussed as regards the effect of previous induced abortions, effect of previous spontaneous preterm labour, effect of subfertility and clinically defined infertility, interpregnancy spacing and uterine abnormalities.

Sociobiological factors and daily habits play an important role in the aetiology of preterm labour with special concern about maternal age, maternal height, maternal weight gain, maternal behaviour, occupation