Table 3.

Research priorities during pregnancy to reduce preterm birth rates and to benefit the preterm baby

Description

Epidemiological research to:

• Examine the relationships between maternal risk factors and preterm birth at a population level (e.g., nutritional, infection, age and other socio-demographic factors)

Discovery

Basic science research on normal and abnormal pregnancies to:

• Identify the causal pathways leading to preterm labour and birth

• Understand the gestational clock triggering the onset of labour

• Explore the genetic determinants of preterm birth and genetic-environment interactions increasing risk of preterm birth

Development

Translational research to:

• Develop simple screening tools based on the findings of biological and genetic research for identifying women at high risk of preterm birth and preterm labour

• Develop robust diagnostic tools for universal application (e.g., anaemia, syphilis)

Delivery

Clinical trials and other studies to:

• Build the evidence base on available and promising interventions

• Determine effectiveness of interventions delivered individually and as packages of care

Implementation research to:

• Address coverage gaps by increasing the availability of antenatal care and women's ability to access services around the world

• Address quality of care gaps by increasing the uptake of evidence-based interventions and intervention packages by health care providers (e.g., syphilis testing and screening, blood pressure monitoring during antenatal care visits, etc.)

Source: Born Too Soon report [1].