The early use of appropriate prophylactic antibiotics in susceptible women for the prevention of preterm birth of infectious etiology.

Preterm birth is the major cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity in high-income countries. The etiology of preterm birth is multifactorial but there is overwhelming evidence to implicate infection as a major cause. Abnormal genital tract flora in early pregnancy is predictive of preterm birth so it is logical to consider the use of antibiotics for the prevention of preterm birth.