Interventions during pregnancy to prevent preterm birth: An overview of Cochrane systematic reviews

Abstract

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) is a major factor contributing to global rates of neonatal death and to longer-term health problems for surviving infants. Both the World Health Organization and the United Nations consider prevention of PTB as central to improving health care for pregnant women and newborn babies. Current preventative clinical strategies show varied efficacy in different populations of pregnant women, frustrating women and health providers alike, while researchers call for better understanding of the underlying mechanisms that lead to PTB. Objectives: We aimed to summarise all evidence for interventions relevant to the prevention of PTB as reported in Cochrane systematic revi..