title: The preterm birth syndrome: a prototype phenotypic classification.
abstract: Preterm birth is a syndrome with many causes and phenotypes. We propose a classification that is based on clinical phenotypes that are defined by ≥ 1 characteristics of the mother, the fetus, the placenta, the signs of parturition, and the pathway to delivery. Risk factors and mode of delivery are not included. There are 5 components in a preterm birth phenotype: (1) maternal conditions that are present before presentation for delivery, (2) fetal conditions that are present before presentation for delivery, (3) placental pathologic conditions, (4) signs of the initiation of parturition, and (5) the pathway to delivery. This system does not force any preterm birth into a predefined phenotype and allows all relevant conditions to become part of the phenotype. Needed data can be collected from the medical records to classify every preterm birth. The classification system will improve understanding of the cause and improve surveillance across populations.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Oxford Maternal and Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Villar
authors.forename: Aris T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Papageorghiou
authors.forename: Hannah E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Gravett
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iams
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Jennifer F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Culhane
authors.forename: Fernando C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: Agustín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Conde-Agudelo
authors.forename: Zulfiqar A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Bhutta
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Goldenberg
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D036801:Parturition; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis