ABSTRACT
The UK has the highest rate of preterm births in Europe, currently up to 7 per cent of all births. This figure is higher in socioeconomically deprived innercity areas and lower in more affluent areas. In the USA, the rate of preterm births are reported to be higher at up to 11 per cent compared to the Nordic countries, with very reliable statistical data, which quote significantly lower rates of below 5 per cent. Factors such as socioeconomic and cultural differences
Preterm birth refers generally to the delivery of the baby occurring between 24 0 and 36 6 weeks of pregnancy. Preterm labour with intact membranes accounts for over 50 per cent of cases presented at maternity units and will be the focus of discussion in this chapter. Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes with subsequent preterm labour is thought to have a different pathophysiology and is also discussed in Chapter 8.
