Objective: A summary of current possibilities to adequately determine spontaneous preterm labour.
Design: Review.
Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1st Faculty of Medicine and General Teaching Hospital, Charles University in Prague.
Methods: Research of literature and current studies.
Conclusion: Based on the combination of personal medical history, clinical signs, biomarkers and transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length, it is possible to predict preterm labour. To avoid a major prediction miscalculation, it is necessary to understand and correctly evaluate certain clinical findings. This approach decreases redundant medical intervention and therefore leads to amelioration of perinatal outcome.
Keywords: cervical length measurement; fetal fibronectin; prediction; preterm labour.