Background Normal and abnormal processes of pregnancy and childbirth are poorly
understood. This second article in a global report explains what is known about the …

Introduction Interventions directed toward mothers before and during pregnancy and
childbirth may help reduce preterm births and stillbirths. Survival of preterm newborns may …

Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide, but current
interventions to prevent prematurity are largely ineffective. Preterm birth is increasingly …

Introduction This is the first of seven articles from a preterm birth and stillbirth report.
Presented here is an overview of the burden, an assessment of the quality of current …

After decades of rising preterm birth rates in the USA and other countries, recent prematurity
rates seem to be on the decline. Despite this optimistic trend, preterm birth rates remain …

Background Understanding spontaneous preterm birth ([PTB]< 37 weeks) is difficult due to
heterogeneities associated with multitudes of risk factors and pathophysiological pathways …

Introduction A report released May 2, 2012 by the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-
moon, reported a global crisis in the rising rates of preterm birth (, 37 weeks gestational age) …

Background Preterm birth remains the major cause of neonatal death worldwide. South Asia
contributes disproportionately to deaths among preterm births worldwide, yet few population …

BACKGROUND: Intrapartum-related neonatal deaths (“birth asphyxia”) are a leading cause
of child mortality globally, outnumbering deaths from malaria. Reduction is crucial to meeting …

Preterm birth (delivery at less than 37 weeks of gestation) is the leading cause of infant
mortality worldwide. So far, the application of animal models to understand human birth …