RESUMO
The lower the gestational age at birth, the greater the risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality and maternal morbidity (increase in the number of caesareans, postnatal metritis). It is important for there to be a timely diagnosis of threatened preterm labour (TPL) in order to begin tocolytic treatment and to obtain efficient foetal pulmonary maturity. It is also necessary to distinguish between a true and a false TPL. There is a high tendency of overdiagnosis and overtreatment and prolonged hospitalisation is frequent. With cervical alteration and uterine dynamics tests it is possible to establish an accurate diagnosis that will result in suitable management. Early identification and primary prevention are not as developed as the therapeutic attitude, but it is important to bear in mind mechanisms for identifying high risk patients. They include antecedents of preterm labour, signs and symptoms, cervical alteration, etc. Premature rupture of membranes and chorioamnionitis involve the risk of preterm labour if they occur in early gestational ages.
