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Previous Volume 357:477-487 August 2, 2007 Number 5 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Preterm birth is defined as birth before the completion of 37 weeks of gestation. The frequency of preterm birth in the United States increased from 10.7% in 1992 to 12.3% in 2003.¹ Preterm births can be categorized as those undertaken because of a specific indication or as spontaneous preterm births. Indicated preterm births occur when a health care provider delivers a baby because of medical or obstetrical complications that jeopardize the health of the mother or the fetus. Spontaneous preterm births occur as a consequence of spontaneous preterm labor or preterm rupture of fetal membranes before the onset of labor. . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Mechanisms of Preterm Labor

Pathophysiology of Preterm Birth

Diagnosis of Acute Preterm Labor

Treatment Strategies

-Adrenergic–Receptor Agonists

Nitric Oxide Donors

Magnesium Sulfate

Calcium-Channel Blockers

Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors

Oxytocin-Receptor Antagonists

Implications of Treatment

Current Clinical Tools and Management

Therapy Decisions

Source Information

From the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Simhan at 300 Halket St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, or at hsimhan@mail.magee.edu.

Related Letters:

Prevention of Preterm Delivery
Tsatsaris V., Azria E., Goffinet F., Morrison E. A.B., Cushman L. F., Simhan H. N., Caritis S. N.
Extract | Full Text | PDF  
N Engl J Med 2007; 357:1979-1980, Nov 8, 2007. Correspondence

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Tsatsaris, V., Azria, E., Goffinet, F., Morrison, E. A.B., Cushman, L. F., Simhan, H. N., Caritis, S. N. (2007). Prevention of Preterm Delivery. NEJM 357: 1979-1980 [Full Text]  
• (2007). Can Progesterone Prevent Preterm Birth?. JWatch General 2007: 1-1 [Full Text]