Preterm labor and delivery still remains one of the most important obstetric problems in the developed world being responsible for a large part of maternal hospitalizations, neonatal mortality, and short- and long-term handicaps. Recent advances in our understanding of the mechanism underlying both preterm delivery and neonatal morbidity have changed both the possibilities to predict and prevent preterm delivery and management of a woman presenting in preterm labor. It has become clear that simply delaying delivery may not be beneficial for the neonate, and selecting which fetus will benefit from prolonging pregnancy is one of the major challenges in obstetric practice.

We invite authors to submit original research and review articles on all aspects of preterm labor and delivery including basic science, clinical practice, and the generation of new hypothesis on the etiology and possible new therapies for preterm labor and delivery. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Lifestyle, socioeconomic interventions, and pregnancy outcome
• Prediction of preterm delivery by ultrasound
• Prediction of preterm delivery by biochemical markers
• Prediction of preterm delivery by microbiological markers
• Prevention of preterm delivery
• The place of tocolytics in the management of preterm labor
• Mechanisms leading to preterm delivery
• The role of the inflammatory response in mother and fetus including periodontal disease and the use of antibiotics
• Mechanical devices and cerclage in the prevention and management of preterm labor
• Preparing the fetus for its transition to a neonate including corticosteroids, magnesium, and early or late clamping of the umbilical cord
• Obstetric maneuvers in preterm labor including forceps, vacuum extractor, and episiotomy
• Management and ethics at the extremes of viability
• The role of multiple pregnancy in preterm labor
• Vaginal or abdominal delivery for the very preterm infant
• Neonatal outcome: long-term financial and psychosocial consequences

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jp/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: