Preterm birth is associated with 5~18% of pregnancy worldwide and remains one of the most significant clinical challenges in obstetrics. Prematurity is the leading cause of neonatal and infant death. Two-thirds of preterm births occur after the spontaneous onset of labor, whereas the remainder is medically indicated because of maternal or fetal complications. Identify of risk factors of spontaneous preterm birth is the cornerstone of prevention. However, the complex pathophysiology of preterm birth and the great variety of the clinical presentation poses a unique clinical challenge to the clinician. Here, we focus on the recent progress in the field of 1. Prediction of preterm birth 2. Prevention methods of preterm birth.