Immunological Aspects of Preterm Birth
- 1st Edition - November 1, 2025
- Editor: Irina Burd MD
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 1 5 6 4 - 3
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 1 5 6 5 - 0
Immunological Aspects of Preterm Birth: Phenotypes of Preterm Birth, Immune Mechanisms, and Pathway Forward bridges reproductive immunology of preterm birth to subtypes, phenotype… Read more
Immunological Aspects of Preterm Birth: Phenotypes of Preterm Birth, Immune Mechanisms, and Pathway Forward bridges reproductive immunology of preterm birth to subtypes, phenotypes, and bedside prevention and treatment. The book reviews the role of the different immune mechanisms during pregnancy that lead to preterm birth, along with the fetal programming effects that are connected to maternal immune activation. In addition, it discusses immune cells and their products and cytokines and chemokines as central for the success of the pregnancy.
While our knowledge on the role of immune cells and the inflammatory process in preterm birth has grown exponentially in the last 10 years, connecting basic science to clinical science and the development of new therapeutics has not progressed as rapidly. This book assists researchers in understanding the basic immunologic mechanisms and inflammatory processes associated with preterm birth and fills an urgent need for the development of therapeutics in this space.
- Provides a detailed evaluation of preterm birth subtypes and phenotype
- Evaluates each immune cell type and its function in maternal peripheral system, placenta, and fetus
- Gives the biological background for understanding the clinical aspects, including treatment venues and effects on fetal programming
MDs, PhD, and postgraduate students in gynecology, immunology, and reproduction science, Research laboratories and clinical practice
1. Preterm labor, preterm birth and prematurity: Molecular and clinical phenotypes
2. Screening, diagnosis and therapeutic approaches to preterm labor
3. Potential use of biomarkers as therapeutic targets of immunotherapy in preterm birth
4. Fetal and placental inflammation in preterm birth
5. Innate Immunity: the role of macrophages and beyond
6. The role of T cells and other adaptive immune mediators in preterm birth
7. Spontaneous preterm birth: Immunoperinatology perspective
8. Fetal pathophysiological changes in preterm birth
9. Vaginal microbiome and preterm birth
10. Viral infections and preterm birth
11. Environment-immune interactions and epigenetics in preterm birth
12. Special considerations: Pregnancy and organ transplantation
13. Placenta: Window into neonatal health
14. Neonatal outcomes following preterm birth
15. Spontaneous preterm birth: Current therapies and opportunities for the future
16. Pathway forward
2. Screening, diagnosis and therapeutic approaches to preterm labor
3. Potential use of biomarkers as therapeutic targets of immunotherapy in preterm birth
4. Fetal and placental inflammation in preterm birth
5. Innate Immunity: the role of macrophages and beyond
6. The role of T cells and other adaptive immune mediators in preterm birth
7. Spontaneous preterm birth: Immunoperinatology perspective
8. Fetal pathophysiological changes in preterm birth
9. Vaginal microbiome and preterm birth
10. Viral infections and preterm birth
11. Environment-immune interactions and epigenetics in preterm birth
12. Special considerations: Pregnancy and organ transplantation
13. Placenta: Window into neonatal health
14. Neonatal outcomes following preterm birth
15. Spontaneous preterm birth: Current therapies and opportunities for the future
16. Pathway forward
- Edition: 1
- Published: November 1, 2025
- Language: English
IB
Irina Burd MD
Irina Burd, MD, PhD is Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Maryland. She is a maternal fetal medicine physician-scientist with clinical expertise in high-risk pregnancy conditions and a research program studying the impact of maternal infection and inflammation on fetal brain development. She is a member of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI), the American Society for Reproductive Immunology (ASRI), and the Perinatal Research Society (PRS). Dr. Burd has published over 150 peer-reviewed publications and is the recipient of numerous honors, including the President’s Achievement Award from the SRI and ASRI Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Burd served as the Chair of the NICHD Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Biology Study Section (2016-2021) and currently serves as Past President of PRS and President of ASRI. She has been continuously funded by NIH for the past ten years.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland, Maryland, USA