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The Role of Environmental Hazards in Premature Birth Workshop Summary (2003) / Chapter Skim
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3. PReterm Birth - Brief Summary of Biological Pathways
Pages 42-45

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 42...
... By understanding the normal labor and delivery process and potential mechanisms of preterm labor, additional progress could be made according to many individuals. BIOLOGICAL CAUSES AND MECHANISMS OF PRETERM LABOR Three broad categories of biological factors have been suggested to play a role in the onset of preterm birth: abnormality of the biological clock, abnormal implantation and infection and inflammation..
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From page 43...
... In the normal pregnancy, there is striking remodeling of the vessels that supply the intravillous space, resulting in a marked increase in luminal diameter and the loss of smooth muscle and elastic components of the vessel wall. The endothelial lining is replaced at least in part by trophoblastic cells that have been modified to express a vascular phenotype.
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From page 44...
... More recently, an interesting association between subclinical infectionssuch as periodontal disease and preterm birth has been suggested. Goldenberg reported that in a study at his institution, 83 percent of the spontaneous preterm births weighing less than 1,000 grams were associated with bacteria in the fetal membranes prior to membrane rupture, indicating that a chronic intrauterine infection with relatively low-virulence organisms such as ureaplasma, mycoplasma, and bacteroides is associated with most early preterm births.
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From page 45...
... Presently, there are a number of unanswered questions regarding this hypothesis. Some participants suggested that this is an area in need of additional research.
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Key Terms

  • preterm labor
  • preterm births
  • amniotic fluid
  • biological factors
  • normal labor

  • abnormal implantation
  • intrauterine infection
  • provide multiple
  • roberts noted
  • amniotic cavity

  • multiple gestations
  • choriodecidual space
  • bacterial vaginosis
  • growth restriction
  • cytokines production

  • roberts suggested
  • blood supply
  • positive culture
  • decidual bleeding
  • romero found

  • increased risk
  • women experiencing
  • chronic intrauterine
  • experiencing preterm
  • theories provide

  • deliver preterm
  • normal remodeling
  • biological causes
  • infection raises
  • induce preterm


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