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Elsevier

Immunological Aspects of Preterm Birth

  • 1st Edition, Volume 4 - March 27, 2026
  • Latest edition
  • Editor: Irina Burd MD
  • Language: English

Immunological Aspects of Preterm Birth, a volume in the Reproductive Immunology book series, bridges reproductiveimmunology of preterm birth to subtypes, phenotypes, and bedsid… Read more

Description

Immunological Aspects of Preterm Birth, a volume in the Reproductive Immunology book series, bridges reproductive
immunology of preterm birth to subtypes, phenotypes, and bedside prevention and treatment. This book reviews the
role of the different immune mechanisms during pregnancy leading to preterm birth and fetal programming effects that
are connected to maternal immune activation. This book also discusses immune cells and their products, cytokines and
chemokines, as central for the success of the pregnancy, from the process of implantation to parturition and the effects of
the changes on fetal programming.
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 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.

Key features

• Provides a detailed evaluation of preterm birth subtypes and phenotypes
• 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
About the Editor

Readership

MDs, PhD, and postgraduate students in gynecology, immunology, and reproduction science, Research laboratories and clinical practice

Table of contents

1 Preterm labor, preterm birth, and prematurity: Molecular and clinical phenotypes
  • Sahar Khoshravesh, Alison DiSciullo, Irina Burd
2 Screening, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches to preterm labor
  • Metehan Imamoglu, Paola Abi Habib, Ozhan M. Turan
3 Cellular immunology of preterm labor and birth and its potential utility for biomarker discovery
  • Nardhy Gomez-Lopez, Dustyn Levenson, Seungbaek Lee, Barbara Neshek, Jose Galaz
4 Understanding preterm birth: The role of infection and inflammation
  • Kristina Adams Waldorf, Celeste Coler
5 The role of macrophages in preterm birth
  • Yang Liu, Meredith Kelleher, Sudeshna Tripathy, Irina Burd
6 T cells, placentation, gestational length and an evolutionary perspective relevant to preterm birth
  • Elizabeth A Bonney
7 Spontaneous preterm birth: Immunoperinatology perspective
  • Jun Lei
8 Exosomes in reproductive biology and medicine
  • Ramkumar Menon, Ananth Kumar Kammala
9 Vaginal microbiome and preterm birth
  • Jacques Ravel, Anna Maya Powell
10 Viral infections and preterm birth
  • Vanusa Pousada da Hora, Jiahui Ding, Gil Mor
11 Environment and immune interactions in preterm birth
  • Fatemeh Biroon, Courtney Townsel
12 Placenta: Window into neonatal health
  • Liza Konnikova, Kerri St Denis, Oluwabunmi Olaloye
13 Spontaneous preterm birth: Current therapies and opportunities for the future
  • Sarah Boudova, Moti Gulersen
14 Special considerations: Transplant in pregnancy
  • Allison Lankford

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Volume: 4
  • Published: March 27, 2026
  • Language: English

About the editor

IB

Irina Burd MD

Irina Burd, MD, PhD, is a renowned maternal–fetal medicine and reproductive immunology expert. She is the Sylvan Frieman, M.D. Endowed Professor and Chair of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, leading initiatives in women’s health research, clinical care and education. Her research explores immunology, pregnancy, and fetal development, focusing on placental inflammation and infection and their effects on neonatal and long-term outcomes. With over 170 peer-reviewed publications, her work has been funded by NIH and other organizations, advancing understanding of the maternal–fetal immune interface. A dedicated educator and mentor, she has trained numerous clinicians, clinician-scientists and scientists. Dr. Burd has held leadership roles in prominent organizations, fostering collaboration in women’s health. Her work continues to shape perinatal medicine, aiming to improve outcomes for mothers and children worldwide.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland, Maryland, USA

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