Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2005 Jul;48(7):1605-1612.

New strategies in the treatment of preterm delivery

• Kim JH

Abstract

Preterm delivery is defined as delivering a fetus or fetuses before 37th gestational week. The incidence of preterm delivery has been reported to be 8-10% but is associated with 75% of perinatal mortality and morbidity, and long term sequelae such as cerebral palsy. The rates of preterm deliveries have actually increased in recent years for complex reasons despite widespread efforts to address the problem. A major drawback for the development of beneficial interventions of preterm delivery is the poor understanding of the normal physiology of human parturition. However, research efforts to elucidate this problem have risen substantially over the past decades, and there have been great advances in the understanding of the molecular and cellular pathways. This understanding has led to the development of several therapeutic strategies in terms of delaying the delivery and reducing the perinatal complications. Thus, we will discuss on the recent developments in therapeutic strategies in preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of membranes including antibiotics treatment, antenatal corticosteroid therapy and various tocolytic agents.

Keyword

Preterm delivery; Latest Treatments; Tocolytics; Corticosteroid

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Cerebral Palsy
Female
Fetus
Humans
Incidence
Membranes
Obstetric Labor, Premature
Parturition
Perinatal Mortality
Physiology
Pregnancy
Rupture
Tocolytic Agents
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Tocolytic Agents