Prematurity and fetal growth restriction

Application of a customised standard to calculate the growth status of preterm babies gives us freshly insights into the causes of prematurity. Fetal growth restriction is seen as a strongly associated factor, which is often present before the onset of spontaneous preterm labour. This raises the question whether, in many instances, the initiation of parturition should be seen as a fetal adaptive response aimed at escaping an unfavourable intrauterine environment. These concepts have implications for the understanding of the pathophysiology of preterm labour, as well as its clinical management.