Preterm Delivery: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Related Complications

If there is a complication of paramount importance in the field of maternofoetal health, it is preterm delivery. Defined as the birth of an infant before completing 37 weeks of gestation, preterm delivery stands as a primary contributor to foetal morbidity and mortality and places a major socio-economic burden on health systems. It is therefore undeniable, that preterm birth remains a substantial global health concern and a priority that needs to be addressed from different perspectives. The primary aim of this book is to contribute to a deeper understanding of preterm delivery among healthcare professionals. For this purpose, this compilation gathers the collective knowledge of experts, researchers, and clinicians from diverse disciplines. Their contributions explore various aspects of preterm delivery, examining its causes, risk factors, clinical management, and long-term complications. In this way, the multifactorial nature of preterm delivery is unraveled in the diverse themes explored in this book.