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The role of inflammation and infection in preterm birth

Jamie A Bastek1, Luis M Gómez, Michal A Elovitz

  • 1Maternal and Child Health Research Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Clinics in Perinatology
|September 6, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Inflammation and infection are key causes of preterm birth. Further research into the pathogenesis of preterm birth and inflammation

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Neonatal health
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Inflammation and infection are increasingly recognized as primary drivers of preterm birth.
  • Decades of research highlight their significant role in adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore existing epidemiologic, clinical, and animal data supporting inflammation and infection as causes of preterm birth.
  • To review proposed mechanisms for mitigating prematurity's adverse effects.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiologic data.
  • Analysis of clinical findings.
  • Examination of animal model studies.

Main Results:

  • Data supports the paradigm of inflammation and infection as causal mechanisms for preterm birth.
  • Proposed mitigation strategies are discussed.

Conclusions:

  • Elucidating the full pathogenesis of preterm birth, including the role of inflammation in parturition and fetal/neonatal injury, is crucial.
  • Successful interventions for prematurity depend on a complete understanding of these processes.

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