ABSTRACT
Every 30 seconds a baby dies from being born too soon. The preterm birth (PTB) is birth before 37 weeks. To prevent PTB, prediction is most important. Prediction is best accomplished by review of risk factors for PTB. There are several recent studies and reviews on possible genetic etiologies, or at least associations, with PTB. These in general confirm the different pathways associated so far with PTB and risk factors. PTB has a polygenic basis that involves mutations or damaging variants in multiple genes involved in innate immunity and host defense mechanisms against microbes and their noxious products. Prevention of PTB can be divided into primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention. Primary prevention involves interventions that can be applied to all women.
