Infection and Preterm Labor

The authors deal with ascending infection as a cause of preterm labour and preterm birth. In a number of patients preterm labour and preterm delivery initiated by ascending subclinical infection are caused by sexually transmitted disease pathogens or simply by organisms of the vaginal flora present in the normal vagina. Data about cervicovaginal colinization with these micro-organisms, the mechanism of ascension and biochemical responsible for the initiation of labour in intrauterine infections are presented. Predictors of infection in preterm labour and antibiotic trials to prevent premature are analyzed. Further topics are fetal behaviour in diagnozing subclinical infection, management of preterm delivery in patients with intrauterine infection, and fetal outcome after intrauterine infection and preterm delivery.