What is the most common cause of preterm labor?

Study for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) I. Engage with flashcards and multiple-choice questions with detailed feedback. Prepare confidently!

Multiple Choice

What is the most common cause of preterm labor?

The main concept is that most preterm labor occurs spontaneously without an identifiable trigger. This is labeled idiopathic preterm labor, and it accounts for the largest proportion of preterm births—roughly about half or more of cases. Infections can precipitate labor through inflammatory processes, but they represent a smaller share of cases overall. Placental insufficiency and multifetal pregnancy are important risk factors and contributors in certain situations, especially when there are placental or fetal complications, but they are not the most common single cause. So the reason idiopathic is the best answer is that the majority of preterm labor episodes occur without a clearly identifiable cause after evaluation.

The main concept is that most preterm labor occurs spontaneously without an identifiable trigger. This is labeled idiopathic preterm labor, and it accounts for the largest proportion of preterm births—roughly about half or more of cases. Infections can precipitate labor through inflammatory processes, but they represent a smaller share of cases overall. Placental insufficiency and multifetal pregnancy are important risk factors and contributors in certain situations, especially when there are placental or fetal complications, but they are not the most common single cause. So the reason idiopathic is the best answer is that the majority of preterm labor episodes occur without a clearly identifiable cause after evaluation.

More practice questions