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 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
Links:
Prematurity
Prevention Programme (Saling Institute)
www.ObGynWorld.com
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.