Advances in preterm birth prediction integrating global evidence with a focus on China

Preterm birth remains a major cause of perinatal and under-five mortality and long-term neurodevelopmental impairment worldwide. This review summarizes established predictors and highlights advances in ultrasound, novel biomarkers, and machine learning. It also examines challenges in early identification, validation, transferability, and stratified management across diverse resource settings, with particular attention to China and the implications for scalable global prevention strategies and improved maternal and neonatal outcomes in routine clinical practice.