About Premature Birth
Premature babies are born before 37 gestational weeks and/or
have a low birth weight (below 2500 grams).
Pre-term deliveries occur in as many as 6% of all pregnancies in
developed countries.1 In developing countries the
prevalence is higher.
Premature babies have higher rates of mortality and morbidity;
this is usually related to their immaturity. Health risks in the
baby increase with decreasing birth weight. The most serious
complication caused by pre-term birth is respiratory distress
syndrome and brain haemorrhage.
There are several known causes of premature delivery and low
birth weight. Vaginal infections are quantifiable and
treatable.
Women with one or more previous premature deliveries, late
miscarriages or previous multiple pregnancies are also considered
at higher risk of a pre-term birth.
Genital infections in pregnancy increase the risk for pre-term
delivery and low birth weight babies. Bacterial vaginosis in the
vaginal tract has been reported in as many as 20% of pregnant
women.2 A study in 1991 found definite signs of vaginal
infection in two out of three women giving birth to very low weight
babies (under 2000 grams).3
The early detection and treatment of these infections in the
vaginal tract can reduce the pre-term birth rate, especially if
antibiotic treatment is started early enough.
The detection and treatment of these infections in the vaginal
tract can reduce the pre-term birth rate, especially if treatment
is started early enough.
Normal vaginal fluid contains a variety of micro-organisms able
to fight bacteria and other pathogens. Among these organisms
lactobacilli predominate to produce lactic acid
H2O2 and a protective environment. Thus, the
acidity which is normally present in the vaginal tract indicates
effective protection against infection. However, when acidity
levels fall - as reflected in higher pH values - resistance to
infection is compromised.
The detection of high VpH values and an appropriate programme of
treatment has been shown to reduce the risk of pre-term
deliveries.4
References
1. Bakketeig LS, Bergsjo P. The epidemiology of preterm birth. In:
Kurjak A (ed): Textbook of Perinatal medicine. Parthenon
Publishing, London, New York 1998, pp 1331.
2. Hillier SL, Nugent R, Eschenbach DA, et al. Association between
bacterial vaginosis and preterm delivery of a low-birth-weight
infant. N Engl J Med 1995; 26: 1737-1742.
3. Saling E. Program for the prevention of prematurity. In: Hirsch
(ed): Infection and pre-term labor. Thieme, Stuttgart, New York
1990.
4. Saling E, Schreiber M, Al-Taie T. A simple, efficient and
inexpensive program for preventing prematurity. J Pernat Med 2001;
29: 199-211.