[Prevention of premature labor].

The prevention of premature birth remains a primary challenge to obstetricians because of its decisive effects with regard to mortality and morbidity. While causal treatment is still not available, the problems and necessity of calculating the related risks, and particularly the early identification of the symptoms of imminent premature delivery are discussed with pregnant women in Maternity Centers. At-the present time, the inhibition of labor using medication in different forms is the key approach to the symptomatic treatment of "genuine" dispositions to premature delivery. With a view to the related requirement for an optimal extension of the gestational period, the author also discusses premature birth as a function of different types of placental dysfunction and refers to the search for suitable treatment. The author presents selected results which indicate the role obstetrics can play in controlling the mortality and morbidity of premature babies who remain underweight to the same extent as in the past. This serves to stress the demand for the "prevention of very immature births" as a principal task facing the obstetrician.