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Epidemiology: the changing face of preterm birth

Mark A Klebanoff1, Sarah A Keim

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. Mark.Klebanoff@nationwidechildrens.org

Clinics in Perinatology
|September 6, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Preterm birth, ending before 37 weeks of gestation, is a leading cause of infant mortality. Research is exploring its familial occurrence and clinical data to better categorize this complex condition.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Neonatal Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Preterm birth, delivery before 37 completed weeks of gestation, is the primary cause of infant mortality in the U.S.
  • Preterm birth rates increased from 9.4% in 1981 to 12.8% in 2006, with a slight decline to 12.3% by 2008.
  • Increases in multiple gestations significantly contributed to the rise in preterm births.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the familial occurrence of preterm birth.
  • To analyze clinical and pathological information related to preterm birth.
  • To develop an etiologically homogeneous categorization for preterm birth.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluation of familial patterns in preterm birth.
  • Review of clinical data associated with preterm births.
  • Analysis of pathological findings in preterm infants.

Main Results:

  • The study aimed to understand the familial occurrence and clinical/pathological aspects of preterm birth.
  • Identified trends in preterm birth rates and contributing factors like multiple gestations.
  • Established a foundation for deriving a more precise categorization of preterm birth.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm birth remains a critical public health issue with complex contributing factors.
  • Further research into familial and clinical data is essential for accurate categorization.
  • Developing homogeneous categories will aid in understanding and potentially preventing preterm birth.

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