Preterm birth can be caused by bacteria

A new US study found that the main cause of premature birth, in which women have premature rupture of membranes, stimulates labor, possibly due to certain types of bacteria.

According to the journal PLOS ONE, the tearing, premature breakage of membranes forming amniotic sacs before the fetus reaches the full-term, full-term development period (PPROM) leads to nearly one-third of premature births worldwide. .

Researchers from Duke University School of Medicine (USA) conducted a test of amniotic membranes of 48 women who had just given birth, including symptomatic women with PPROM, who were born prematurely for reasons other and women give birth to children full day and full term. They found that bacteria exist in all membranes, but the thinner the membranes, the greater the number of bacteria present, especially in women with early rupture of membranes.

Premature births can have long-term consequences for maternal and child health.

The team found that the high concentration of bacteria in the amniotic sac fracture was associated with thinning of the membranes. If bacteria are the cause, instead of the consequences of premature rupture of membranes, researchers may develop early treatments or screening for women at high risk of preterm birth.

Professor of gynecology and obstetrician Amy Murtha, head of the study, explains: "For example, if we think, certain types of bacteria are associated with early amniotomy, we can screen. Early screening of those bacteria at the beginning of pregnancy We can also treat women affected by antibiotics and reduce their risk of PPROM. "

Commenting on the study, Dr. Patrick O'Brien from the College of Obstetrics and Gynecology said, this is the work that helped us better understand the cause of premature birth. Researchers have long suspected and know that infection is the cause of PPROM in some women. He said that what experts really want now is to know in detail about the mechanism of bacterial rupture of membranes .