Preterm labour

Citation
Al. Bernal et Rl. Tambyraja, Preterm labour, BEST P R CL, 14(1), 2000, pp. 133-153
Citations number
99
Categorie Soggetti
Reproductive Medicine
Journal title
BEST PRACTICE & RESEARCH IN CLINICAL OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
ISSN journal
15216934 → ACNP
Volume
14
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Pages
133 - 153
Database
ISI
SICI code
1521-6934(200002)14:1<133:PL>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
Spontaneous preterm labour remains a major obstetric problem because of the high incidence of neonatal mortality or long-term handicap associated with it. The drugs available for the management of preterm labour are poorly ef fective and have potentially serious side-effects for the mother or fetus, in recent years, there has been a remarkable increase in the knowledge of t he biochemical mechanism underlying uterine quiescence and contractility. M any of the G protein-coupled receptors that participate in the regulation o f myometrial activity have been cloned and characterized. and their intrace llular signalling pathways have been elucidated. The role of G protein rece ptor kinases in uterine tachyphylaxis is better understood. New development s in our understanding of the cellular mechanisms involved in uterine contr actions in idiopathic and infection-associated preterm labour are expected, which will lead to better, more selective therapy for this problem. Howeve r, much research remains to be done before the mechanism of human parturiti on is fully understood.