Current concepts in the management of XXXX .

@entity1 @entity3152 @entity7309 @entity1420 @entity8855 @entity548 @entity130 @entity3900 @entity2241
Prematurity remains the major cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity in Singapore. Prevention of prematurity is therefore of vital importance. Epidemiological methods using historical variables have been superseded by ongoing pregnancy factors including work, exercise and cervical dilatation. @entity7309 levels bear a positive correlation to duration and cervical dilatation but are not elevated at onset. PGE production is high in ruptured membranes. @entity1420 and relaxin are potent inhibitors before labour. Infection must play an important role in developing countries as organisms not thought of to be pathogenic produce @entity3900 . For prediction, cervical assessment and topography are proving important. In view of the dangerous side effects of tocolytic drugs and the difficulty in diagnosis of @entity3152 , absence of fetal breathing is a useful index of progressive labour. In those labours that are advanced, whether to allow vaginal delivery or not will be determined by the presentation and condition of the fetus. The complementary role of other drugs to reduce morbidity from @entity8855 and @entity548 is being studied. @entity2241 should be avoided and the @entity1 delivered without @entity130 under optimal circumstances. In utero transfer to a facility with neonatal intensive care carries a better prognosis for the baby.
