Etiologically Based Functional Taxonomy of the Preterm Birth Syndrome

Preterm birth (PTB) is a complex syndrome traditionally defined by a single parameter, namely, gestational age at birth (ie, ˂37 weeks). This approach has limitations for clinical usefulness and may explain the lack of progress in identifying cause-specific effective interventions. The authors offer a framework for a functional taxonomy of PTB based on (1) conceptual principles established a priori; (2) known etiologic factors; (3) specific, prospectively identified obstetric and neonatal clinical phenotypes; and (4) postnatal follow-up of growth and development up to 2 years of age. This taxonomy includes maternal, placental, and fetal conditions routinely recorded in data collection systems.

Source: Clinics in Perinatology - April 3, 2024 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Jose Villar, Paolo Ivo Cavoretto, Fernando C. Barros, Roberto Romero, Aris T. Papageorghiou, Stephen H. Kennedy Source Type: research