Ultrasound

Biology

Preterm labor

Gestation

Cervix

Fetus

Premature birth

Perinatal mortality

Radiology

Cervical cerclage

Genetics

Pediatrics

Physics

Optics

Singleton

Transvaginal ultrasound

Internal medicine

Obstetrics

Gynecology

Medicine

Incidence (geometry)

Preterm delivery

Cancer

Pregnancy

Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Preterm birth (PTB), which occurs in about 12% of pregnancies worldwide, is the main cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Symptomatic treatment of pregnancies presenting in preterm labor with corticosteroids and antibiotics has improved neonatal outcomes but has not reduced the incidence of PTB. Evidence suggests that the rate of PTB may be reduced by the prophylactic use of progesterone in women with a previous history of preterm delivery and in those with a short cervical length identified by routine transvaginal ultrasound. This review summarizes the evidence (level A evidence) of the effectiveness of progesterone on the rate of PTB.

Preterm birth prevention