IMR Press / CEOG / Special Issues / preterm_birth

Preterm Birth: Prediction and Prevention

Submission deadline: 31 January 2023
Special Issue Editor
  • Panagiotis Tsikouras, MD
    Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
    Interests: pediatric adolescence; obstetrics and gynecology; gynecological oncology surgery
Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Early diagnosis and effective treatment of threatened preterm labor are the main strategies for preventing the birth of premature newborns, which is the preeminent factor contributing to perinatal morbidity and mortality resulting in 35% of healthy childhood-related medical costs.

Despite years of research, no effective method has been found to prevent premature birth, which continues to be the main cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic effort is based on the attempt to suspend labor by administering a tocolytic agent in order to prolong the pregnancy for at least 48 hours in order to allow the administration of corticosteroids to be more effective in preventing respiratory distress syndrome from occurring.

The selection of the tocolytic agent should be done based on its contribution to the inhibition of preterm birth with consideration of potential side effects. Improving the effectiveness of any 1st line tocolytic agent requires the intensification and continuation of research protocols and clinical studies in order to determine the optimum therapeutic intervention for prevention of preterm birth.

Attempting to suppress uterine contractions associated with preterm labor using tocolytic therapy has the potential to prolong the gestation. Among the administered tocolytics, β-sympathomimetics have not been demonstrated to be superior to other classes in terms of efficacy and have been associated with a substantial rate of adverse effects.

Conservative treatment with administration of β-sympathomimetics or magnesium offers little to preterm labor treatment. Finally, there are insufficient data to demonstrate the direct beneficial contribution of antibiotic therapy to the reduction of neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Dr. Panagiotis Tsikouras

Guest Editor

Keywords
premature labor
diagnosis
management
perinatal outcome
Manuscript Submission Information

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