ABSTRACT
Preterm birth accounts for about 7%– 12% of all deliveries worldwide; it is the most common cause for neonatal morbidity and mortality, as well as maternal morbidity. In the past, most research interest resulted in the prevention of preterm birth in order to alleviate the complications of prematurity. However, recent evidence suggests that the effects of preterm birth on the future health of both the mother and her offspring go far beyond the preterm delivery itself. The current chapter will describe the epidemiology and underlying mechanisms leading to preterm delivery, its short-and long-term effects on the mother and her neonate, and the methods to prevent preterm parturition.
