Preterm Labour Managing Risk in Clinical Practice

This volume summarizes advances in the optimal clinical management of preterm labour, using the best available evidence of the time. The contributors (mostly practising clinicians) are all actively involved in research into the mechanisms, aetiology, treatment and associated outcomes of preterm labour. The chapters are based on common clinical scenarios and each provides a comprehensive literature review followed by evidence-based recommendations on appropriate management. A summary of the pathophysiology of parturition is provided, and the obstetric scenarios cover management of threatened preterm labour, management of preterm premature ruptured membranes and management of preterm labour with specific complications (such as intrauterine growth restriction). Other chapters include the epidemiology, prediction and prevention of preterm labour. Anaesthetic and paediatric issues are explored in depth, and there are chapters on the legal and organizational issues surrounding preterm labour.

1. Epidemiology of preterm delivery Peter Daniellian and Marion Hall; 2. Biology of labour Andrew Thomson and Jane Norman; 3. Transcriptional regulation of labour associated genes Philip Bennett, Tamsin Lindstrom and Jennifer Louden; 4. Fetal outcome following preterm delivery M. Levene and Lawrence Miall; 5. Prediction of preterm delivery Philip Owen and Fiona Mackenzie; 6. Prevention of preterm labour J. Morrison and Nandi Ravikumar; 7. Management of preterm premature ruptured membranes Donald Peebles; 8. Management of threatened preterm labour Steve Thornton, Manu Vatish, Katie Groom and Philip Bennett; 9. Management of preterm labour with specific complications Mark Kilby, David Somerset; 10. Anaesthetic issues in preterm labour and intensive care management of the sick parturient Anne May and Chris Elton; 11. Management of the preterm neonate Michael Weindling and Richa Gupta; 12. Organisation of high risk obstetric and neonatal services Karl Murphy and Sara Twaddle; 13. Legal issues in the management of pregnancy and labour S. M. McLean and Sara Elliston; 14. Treating the preterm infant - the legal context Sara Elliston.

This is a practical 2005 guide to the optimal clinical management of preterm delivery, using the best available evidence of the time. The chapters are based on common clinical scenarios and each provides a comprehensive literature review followed by evidence-based recommendations on appropriate management.