Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- presencia de factores de riesgo
- contracciones uterinas
- rotura prematura de membranas pretérmino (RPMP) antes del trabajo de parto
- dilatación avanzada del cuello uterino
- longitud del cuello uterino <2 cm
Other diagnostic factors
- aumento de la frecuencia cardíaca del feto o la materna
- dolor abdominal inferior o de espalda inespecífico
- fiebre
- sangrado vaginal
Risk factors
- trabajo de parto prematuro previo
- lesión previa de cuello uterino
- aborto inducido previo
- infecciones maternas
- embarazos multifetales
- longitud del cuello uterino corta
- prueba de fibronectina fetal positiva
- rotura prematura de membranas pretérmino (RPMP) antes del trabajo de parto
- anomalías fetales
- tabaquismo
- índice de masa corporal (IMC) <19 kg/m²
- factores sociales y etnia
- tratamiento de fertilidad
- polihidramnios
- violencia doméstica
- higiene dental deficiente
- cesárea de fase tardía
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- cardiotocografía sin estrés
- tocografía
- ultrasonido transvaginal del cuello uterino
- exudado cérvico-vaginal para fibronectina fetal
- hemograma completo (HC)
- proteína C-reactiva
- tira reactiva de orina
- análisis microscópico de orina, cultivo y sensibilidad en orina
- exudado vaginal alto/rectal
Investigations to consider
- microscopia de fluido vaginal
- análisis de sangre de Kleihauer
- cribado toxicológico de orina
- prueba de la proteína de unión al factor de crecimiento similar a la insulina-1 (IGFBP-1)
- microglobulina alfa 1 placentaria (PAMG-1)
Treatment algorithm
amenaza de trabajo de parto prematuro (ATPP)
rotura prematura de membranas pretérmino (RPMP) antes del trabajo de parto
alto riesgo de parto inminente sin ruptura prematura de membranas pretérmino (RPMP)
Contributors
Authors
Andrew H. Shennan, MD, FRCOG
Professor of Obstetrics
King's College London
London
UK
Disclosures
AHS has given talks for Hologic, the manufacturer of fetal fibronectin, and has received funds to his institute for research. AHS is an author of several references cited in this topic.
Joanna C. Girling, MA, MRCP, FRCOG
Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
West Middlesex University Hospital
London
UK
Disclosures
JCG declares that she has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Jo Trinder, MD
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
St Michael's Maternity Wing
Bristol Royal Infirmary
Bristol
UK
Disclosures
JT has accepted honoraria for speaking to groups of midwives and doctors about miscarriage management.
Kirsty Dundas, MBChB, DCH, FRCOG
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Honorary Senior Lecturer
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
UK
Disclosures
KD declares that she has no competing interests.
Deidre Lyell, MD
Assistant Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Stanford University
Stanford
CA
Disclosures
DL declares that she has no competing interests.
Peer reviewer acknowledgements
BMJ Best Practice topics are updated on a rolling basis in line with developments in evidence and guidance. The peer reviewers listed here have reviewed the content at least once during the history of the topic.
Disclosures
Peer reviewer affiliations and disclosures pertain to the time of the review.
References
Key articles
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Preterm labour and birth. Jun 2022 [internet publication].Full text
Shennan AH, Story L, Royal College of Obstetricians, Gynaecologists. Cervical cerclage: green-top guideline no. 75. BJOG. 2022 Jun;129(7):1178-210.Full text Abstract
EPPPIC Group. Evaluating Progestogens for Preventing Preterm birth International Collaborative (EPPPIC): meta-analysis of individual participant data from randomised controlled trials. Lancet. 2021 Mar 27;397(10280):1183-94.Full text Abstract
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Care of women presenting with suspected preterm prelabour rupture of membranes from 24+0 weeks of gestation. Green-top guideline no. 73. Jun 2019 [internet publication].Full text
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Committee Opinion-Obstetrics. ACOG committee opinion no. 713: antenatal corticosteroid therapy for fetal maturation. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Aug;130(2):e102-9.Full text Abstract
Reference articles
A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
Differentials
- Desprendimiento prematuro de placenta
- Infección urinaria (IU)
- Quiste de ovario
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Twin and triplet pregnancy
- Cervical cerclage (Green-top guideline no. 75)
More GuidelinesPatient information
Trabajo de parto prematuro
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