Pathophysiology of preterm birth syndrome

Abstract

Preterm labor syndrome may be associated to infection, vascular insults, uterine overdistention, abnormal alogeneic recognition, stress, hormonal alterations, or other not yet described pathological process. Interventions oriented to correct uterine contractility (tocolysis), cervical modifications (cerclage) or activation of membranes and/or decidua in patients with preterm labor do not consider underlying mechanisms and are responsible for the limited advances in preterm labor prevention and treatment. This is a brief review of the syndromic nature of preterm labor.