Preterm labor – an unresolved problem of the XXI century

    

    Abstract

    Preterm labor – an unresolved problem of the XXI century

    V.E. Radzinsky, A.A. Orazmuradov

    Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russian Federation

    The article discusses one of the most significant problems in the modern obstetric practice – preterm labor (PL). The upward trend in PL worldwide is related to an increase number of multiple pregnancies due to in vitro fertilization (IVF). PL is one of the main causes of early neonatal mortality and disability in children, also increases the survival rate of newborns with extremely low birth weight, and therefore it significantly changes the structure of surviving premature infants' morbidity. The greatest threat is represented by the «threshold» stages of the disease, with the development of which the process becomes almost irreversible and requires immediate treatment. To improve the perinatal outcomes of PL, the authors draw attention to two problems: first of them – to understand the mechanism of PL, the second one-to work out tactics that allow to carry out measures that can delay, prevent the distress syndrome, and improve fetal condition at any stage of the disease.

    Key words: preterm birth, in vitro fertilization, quality of life, retinopathy of prematurity.