The delivery of infants before 37 weeks of gestation is the leading cause of infant
morbidity and mortality in the United States, complicating 12% of live births [
1
,
2
,
Infant health statistics. Available at: www.modimes.org/HealthLibrary2/InfantHealthStatistics/preterm_new.htm. Accessed March 7, 2003.
3
]. About 80% of preterm deliveries (PTDs) are spontaneous, whereas 20% are indicated
by deteriorating maternal or fetal conditions. Of the former, 50% result from preterm
labor with intact membranes (PTL) and 30% follow preterm premature rupture of membranes
(PROM) [
[4]
].To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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