[Preterm delivery: an overview on epidemiology, pathophysiology and consequences for the individual and the society].

Preterm delivery in Sweden constitutes 5.7 % of all deliveries, which is among the lowest rates in the world. There has not been any increase in the proportion of iatrogenic preterm deliveries during the last decades.The main hypothesis concerning the causality of preterm delivery is still that of the ascending infection from the vagina to the uterus and inflammation resulting in contractions, rupture of membranes and delivery. The mechanisms behind parturition at term are still elusive and this is also true for preterm delivery. The genetic contribution to preterm delivery is about 25-30 %. The first genes that are associated with preterm delivery and gestational duration have recently been published. Huge progress has been made in care of preterm born infants. Sweden has among the lowest rates of mortality and morbidity in the world, especially in the lowest gestational weeks. New modes of care, family-centered care and hospital-assisted home care, have empowered the parents and reduced the cost for care.