Obstetric Preterm Birth Subspecialty

The Preterm Birth Subspecialty of the Department of Obstetrics at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Health Hospital is the deputy-lead institution of the Preterm Birth and Preterm Infant Group of the Perinatal Medicine Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and the chairing institution of the Shanghai Professional Committee for the Prevention and Treatment of Preterm Birth. It has long focused on integrated, multidisciplinary prevention and treatment of preterm birth throughout the entire “preconception–pregnancy–postpartum” continuum. The subspecialty undertakes the spontaneous preterm birth component of the National Key Research and Development Program’s 14th Five-Year Plan project “Research on Precision Comprehensive Clinical Prevention and Control Strategies Based on the Mechanisms of Preterm Birth.” The diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous preterm birth is one of the distinctive features of the subspecialty. Under the leadership of Professor Ying Hao, comprehensive clinical management is provided for individuals at high risk of preterm birth, including thorough individualized assessment, a standardized outpatient and inpatient management system for preterm birth, different preconception and antenatal surgical procedures based on cervical insufficiency, and comprehensive perioperative management. The number of patients with spontaneous preterm birth treated by the subspecialty ranks among the highest nationwide. The number and success rate of cervical cerclage procedures performed for patients with cervical insufficiency are at the national forefront. With a comprehensive system for assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, pregnant women with threatened preterm labor and late threatened miscarriage can receive timely and effective management, significantly reducing the incidence of preterm birth and greatly improving maternal and neonatal outcomes.