الفهرس 
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Abstract
Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and a substantial portion of all birth-related morbidity. Preterm delivery accounts for 65% of neonatal deaths and 50% of neurological disability in childhood. (Shenan 2003)
A preterm delivery as defined by the World Health Organisation is one that occurs at less than 37 and more than 20 weeks gestational age. (Goldenberg 2002)
A wide spectrum of causes and demographic factors has been implicated in the birth of preterm infants including amniotic fluid and chorioamniotic infections, life style factors, genetic factors, bleeding in early pregnancy and termination of pregnancy for maternal and fetal complications. (Haram et al 2003)
Trials of Prevention of Spontaneous preterm labour received greater interest to prevent associated complications and allow trials to enhance fetal lung maturity. The first step in prevention of preterm labour is early identification of women at risk for preterm birth. (Romero et al 2004)
Several methods have been used for identification of preterm labour. These included risk scoring systems, history of preterm labour, assessment of cervical dilatation or incompetent cervix early in pregnancy, sonographic assessment of cervical length, determination of symptoms and signs of preterm labour and estimation of fibronectin and salivary estriol. (Meis et al 1998)