Preterm birth; current prevention strategies and challenges

Abstract

Preterm birth occurs when a baby is born alive before the full 37 weeks of pregnancy. Preterm delivery can occur spontaneously or be a sign that a doctor should schedule an early cesarean section or induction of labor. The purpose of this review was to advance our understanding of preterm birth and its preventive measures. This review examined the preterm birth epidemiology, risk factors, clinical evaluation, management, and preventive strategies. The primary maternal predisposing factors associated with preterm birth were birth defects, maternal infection, the presence of polymorphism genes, mothers of rural residents, mothers with a history of prior abortions, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, low birth weight, elementary education level, and immigrants. To prevent preterm birth, pregnant women should receive counseling regarding a balanced diet, social drug usage, follow-up visits to medical facilities, and relaxation techniques. Some evidence suggests that low-dose aspirin and other cyclooxygenase inhibitors help prevent preterm birth in cases where traditional treatments are ineffective. More research will be necessary to enhance the outcomes of preterm birth care and reproductive health.