title: Acute management of preterm labor.
abstract: We are continually reminded that the preterm birth rate has failed to improve; in fact, it has increased over the last 20 years. Much of this increase is related to the tremendous strides made by neonatologists and the resulting increased willingness of obstetricians to deliver preterm babies from hostile intrauterine environments. However, there is still much to learn concerning the pathogenesis, accurate early detection, treatment, and prevention of spontaneous preterm labor. This article concentrates on the clinical diagnosis and acute management of this enigmatic clinical problem.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida Health Sciences Center, 653 West 8th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA. john.huddleston@jax.ufl.edu
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Huddleston
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Ramos
authors.forename: Kathryn W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Huddleston
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001510:Bed Rest; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015984:Causality; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D015145:Tocolysis / Q000379:methods; D014590:Uterine Contraction
chemical_list: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D000431:Ethanol; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate