Diagnosis and prevention of preterm birth. A literature update

Abstract

Background: Preterm birth is one of obstetrics main problems, causing 35% of deaths in infants on their first year of life and severe morbidity on short and long term in those cases when the individual survives premature birth. In 2010, Colombia reported 8.8% of preterm birth, thus making the identification of risk factors, prevention, precise diagnostic and care of this syndrome of so great and vital importance.

Objective: To update our knowledge on the prevention of preterm birth.

Metodology: Using different databases such as: Ovid, Clinical Key, Cochrane, Pubmed, Medline and EMBASE, an in depth analysis was performed on the literature available. Cross references in both Spanish and English were performed on publications from 2001 to 2016, using the following key words: preterm birth, pessary, vaginal progesterone, cerclage, preterm birth prevention, parto pretermino, tamizaje de parto pretermino.

Results: 81 complete text articles were found, of different typologies: updated management guides, scientific and technological research, reviews; Which addressed the issue of diagnosis and prevention

Conclusion: There are multiple controversies regarding the different techniques used to identify high risk patients and reach an adequate prevention of preterm birth.