Table 3.
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].