Question 1

What is the Meaning of Preterm Birth?

Accepted Answer

Preterm birth is defined as the delivery of a live infant before 37 weeks of completed gestation. This clinical threshold marks a period of significant physiological immaturity for the newborn, differentiating these births from term or post-term deliveries. It establishes a critical point for neonatal viability and potential health challenges.

Question 2

What is the Context of Preterm Birth?

Accepted Answer

Within human reproduction and obstetrics, preterm birth represents a deviation from typical gestational progression. It is a complex syndrome influenced by interactions among maternal physiology, uterine environment, placental function, and fetal development. Understanding its position in the continuum of pregnancy outcomes is fundamental to addressing maternal and infant health globally.

Question 3

What is the Significance of Preterm Birth?

Accepted Answer

The occurrence of preterm birth carries substantial clinical importance, directly impacting neonatal morbidity and mortality rates. Infants born prematurely often face immediate respiratory distress, intraventricular hemorrhage, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Furthermore, long-term health consequences, including neurodevelopmental impairments, underscore its critical influence on a child's overall well-being and public health burden.

Question 4

What is the Mechanism of Preterm Birth?

Accepted Answer

The underlying mechanisms leading to preterm birth are diverse, frequently involving a cascade of events such as uterine contractions, cervical effacement, and membrane rupture. These processes can be triggered by inflammation, infection, uterine overdistension, or placental abnormalities. Hormonal dysregulation, particularly involving progesterone pathways crucial for maintaining uterine quiescence, also plays a significant role.

Question 5

What is the Application of Preterm Birth?

Accepted Answer

Clinically, the concept of preterm birth guides diagnostic evaluations and therapeutic interventions aimed at prolonging gestation or mitigating adverse neonatal outcomes. Prophylactic strategies, such as progesterone supplementation in at-risk pregnancies or cervical cerclage for cervical insufficiency, are applied to modify its course. Tocolytic agents may suppress contractions, allowing time for corticosteroid administration to accelerate fetal lung maturity.

Question 6

What is the Metric of Preterm Birth?

Accepted Answer

The primary metric for diagnosing preterm birth is accurate gestational age assessment, typically determined by early pregnancy ultrasound or last menstrual period. Monitoring for impending preterm labor involves evaluating uterine contraction frequency, cervical length via transvaginal ultrasound, and specific biochemical markers like fetal fibronectin. These measurements help clinicians assess risk and guide management.

Question 7

What is the Risk of Preterm Birth?

Accepted Answer

Numerous factors contribute to the risk of preterm birth, including a history of prior preterm delivery, multiple gestations, and certain uterine anomalies. Maternal medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and genitourinary infections also increase susceptibility. Lifestyle factors and inadequate prenatal care can further elevate the probability, underscoring the need for comprehensive risk assessment and targeted intervention.

Preterm Birth

Meaning

Context

Significance

Mechanism

Application

Metric

Risk

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