The Complex Puzzle of Preterm Births

Preterm birth is a complex medical issue with immense health and economic consequences worldwide.1,2 Even in economically well-resourced nations with advanced obstetric and neonatal services, preterm births account for nearly three-fourths of all neonatal deaths and over half of cases with long-term disability. Efforts to improve perinatal outcomes in the past have (paradoxically) resulted in higher preterm births.3 Some of this increase is attributed to an increase in medically indicated early births with an intention to reduce the impact of perinatal complications, such as hypertensive disorders, intrauterine growth retardation, fetal distress, and so forth, which can result in fetal injury or demise.
Source: Clinics in Perinatology - Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Tags: Foreword Source Type: research