Abstract

Preterm delivery is one of the main causes of infant mortality in developed countries, and infants who survive require long−term rehabilitation. Therefore it is important to understand the causes of preterm delivery and perform an adequate and early selection of women at risk. This enables surrounding them with intensive supervision and education guided towards prevention and early detection of symptoms of preterm contractions. According to current knowledge, effective prophylaxis of preterm delivery is connected with screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in all pregnant women, progestogen administration, and screening for and treatment of asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis in the group at high risk. In the group at high risk, additional actions are necessary: fibronectin marker in cervical−vaginal smear, regular ultrasonographic evaluation of cervix length, and, in case of its shortening, the use of cervical cerclage and examination for the presence of autoantibodies. Treatment of the threat of preterm delivery consists of assuring the patient’s peace and using drugs to restrain contractions. Inefficiency of such treatment is connected with the necessity of administering glucocorticosteroids and determining a way of labor termination that will guarantee maximum protection of the fetus.