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Preterm Birth

Meaning

Preterm birth is defined clinically as the delivery of a baby before 37 completed weeks of gestation, a significant obstetric event associated with a higher risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. This outcome is a major public health concern, and its etiology is often multifactorial, involving complex interactions between maternal hormonal status, infection, inflammation, and uterine factors. In reproductive endocrinology, specific hormonal interventions, particularly progesterone supplementation, are often employed in high-risk pregnancies to help prolong gestation and prevent this adverse outcome. Managing the hormonal milieu is critical for maintaining uterine quiescence.