Preterm birth: A review of genetic factors and future directions for genetic study

Preterm birth remains the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality and is likely the result of interactions between specific genes and the maternal or fetal environment. The strong familial clustering of disease with documented increased risks in patients with a personal or family history of preterm birth and the racial disparities in the incidence of preterm birth support a genetic component of this condition. New technologies such as microarray, single nucleotide polymorphism analysis, and proteomics will lead to the eventual identification and characterization of the genetic etiology of preterm birth. Target Audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians Learning Objectives: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to recall that preterm birth (PTB) continues to be the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, explain that the causes are multifactorial and that there are indications of genetic/environmental causes, and state that new genetic technologies may assist in early identification and possible prevention.