Bachkangi P, et al. - In this cohort study, researchers examined whether women at high risk for preterm birth (PTB) exhibit increased plasma concentrations of the N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), N-oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and N-palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). Further, they assessed whether these have utility for predicting preterm delivery and if so, how they compare with current methods. 217 pregnant women were recruited between 24 and 34 gestational weeks at ‘high-risk’ for PTB, recruited from a prematurity prevention clinic or antenatal wards. In this study, women who delivered prematurely had significantly higher AEA and PEA concentrations. An AEA concentration > 1.095 nM was identified to be predictive of PTB, the gestational age at delivery and the recruitment to delivery interval. Only PTB could be predicted using a PEA concentration > 17.50 nM. These measures performed better than existing conventional tests and hence offer a better window for primary prevention of PTB.