Preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, and cervical incompetence

Abstract

Prematurity continues to account for 75% of perinatal morbidity and mortality in the United States. The search for accurate clinical methods to predict prematurity and the critical evaluation of treatment strategies for premature labor dominate the recent medical literature. Specific clinical issues addressed during the literature review period include critical evaluation of home tocodynamometry, reevaluation and new investigation into tocolytic agents, clinical role of adjunctive antibiotics, and expanding recognition of tocolytic complications. Laboratory investigations into the role of subclinical genital infections as causes of prematurity continue to show promise. Despite these recent scientific advances, the effective prevention and treatment of prematurity continues to elude our clinical efforts.