Endocrinology
What is the role of endocrinology?
Despite the widespread use of drugs to stop premature labor, the rate of premature birth has stayed stable for decades. However, infant mortality has declined for two reasons: the development of improved methods to identify foetuses at high risk of intrauterine death and the success of neonatologists, pediatricians who specialize in treating newborn infants, and saving the lives of premature babies. To further reduce this health problem, we need to understand why labor begins - both normal labor and premature labor. We need research that defines and clarifies the physiological, biochemical, and molecular factors involved in initiating labor so that we can find more effective treatments. Trained investigators have made great strides in developing the research tools needed to understand the causes and treatment of premature labor. However, further research is needed to prevent untimely births and the resulting deaths and disabilities. These problems represent a tragedy for the newborn baby, the family, and society. (Revised 1998) Read more