What causes Preterm Birth?
Some definitions of preterm birth use birth weight as criteria. Any infant that is born with a birth weight of 2500 grams or less is considered to be premature. Maternal or fetal stress Infection or inflammation Vaginal bleeding that comes from within the uterus Over distension of the uterus as may be found with twins or triplets or excess amniotic fluid When spontaneous preterm birth occurs at a very early gestational age (between 20 and 32 weeks gestation) the most common identifiable cause is infection or inflammation. In some cases, bacteria or viruses have caused an infection within the uterus, vagina, bladder or some other part of the body that results in preterm delivery. However, some cases of preterm delivery are the result of an inappropriate or abnormal or inflammatory response by the mother to relatively normal vaginal or cervical bacteria. Even infection or inflammation in the gums of the mouth and around the teeth (called periodontal disease) has been associated with pret
