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Abstract A preterm infant is defined as one who born at less than 259 days (37 completed weeks) of pregnancy. Preterm labour is defined as the occurrence of regular uterine activity which produces either cervical effacement or dilatation prior to 37 completed weeks of gesation. The incidence of preterm birth ranges between 5% and 10%, they account for 85% of early neonatal deaths not due to lethal deformity. Many factors rise the incidence of preterm labour including maternal characterstics, women under 20 years of age, social class weight and weight gain, cigarette smoking and substance abuse past reproductive history as previous preterm birth, previous pregnancy bleeding and previous spontaneous miscarriage. Present pregnancy complications as multiple gestation, assisted conception pregnancy, gestational hypertension pre-existing maternal illness, and ante partum haemorrhage. Genital tract infection.Preterm labour of unknown origin, it accounts for about 20-30%. Diagnosis of preterm labour has 3 components, the identification of patients at risk, the detection of early warning symptoms of preterm labour and the diagnosis of established preterm labour. Warning symptoms of preterm labour are premenstrual like cramps, low dull back ache, feels heavy abdominal cramping, increased or change in vaginal discharge, fluid leaking from vagina and uterine contractions 10 minutes apart or closer. Established cases of preterm labour include regular contractions accompanied by either cervical effacement or change in dilatation and effacement. |