title: Current concepts on the pathogenesis and markers of preterm births.
abstract: Preterm births remain a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality despite our efforts over the past several decades. Our improved understanding of the complex mechanisms surrounding preterm labor, however, has resulted in the development of numerous biologic and clinical predictors of spontaneous preterm births. These developments offer the exciting prospect for the creation of specific interventions that are directed toward the various pathways involved with preterm births.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Goldenberg
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007249:Inflammation; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D018590:Uterine Monitoring
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011453:Prostaglandins