Preterm labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes, and chorioamnionitis.

In this article, the author reviews the etiology and biochemical links between infection and preterm birth, the problem of preterm birth, and the management of infection-related risks of preterm birth. The management section reviews current opinions regarding prophylactic antibiotic therapy in the prevention of preterm birth, adjunctive antibiotic therapy in the treatment of preterm labor with and without rupture of membranes, and antibiotic therapy of intra-amniotic infection (clinical chorioamnionitis, IAI). Finally, the article reviews the risk of neurodevelopmental handicap potentially associated with IAI.