[Maternal genital infections and premature delivery]

The etiology of preterm birth remains elusive being probably multifactorial. Fifty years ago, genital infection was proposed as an important risk factor. Recent advances in the identification of several pathogens together with the potential rôle of bacterial vaginosis have generated renewed interest. However may studies suffered from methodological flaws and definitive answers are yet to come. In addition, studies looking at genital infections on pathological cervices already effaced or dilated, suggested that infection may play an additive interactive role to preterm birth.