Prevention of preterm delivery. The important role of early recognition.

Perinatal deaths can be decreased most effectively by reducing the incidence of preterm delivery. Therapy with a tocolytic agent, such as ritodrine ( Yutopar ), can be of significant benefit if applied to patients in whom preterm labor is correctly diagnosed and has not advanced beyond the early stages. Identification of the patient at risk, intensive education and surveillance of such patients, and education of hospital and clinic staff can extend the application and success of labor-inhibiting therapy.