Presence of bacteria during pregnancy can predict premature births, study confirms

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Microbes like bacteria are present everywhere, in the workplace, in homes, and even in the surface of a human body. A community of microbes is called microbiomes and a new study reveals that their existence during pregnancy may allow experts to identify if the pregnant woman will give birth prematurely.

TIME Magazine writes that based on the study published in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers have discovered that the nondisease-causing microbes in the body change during pregnancy. A particular bacteria, which can be seen in the vaginal area of a pregnant woman, can be directly associated to increased risk of preterm birth.

Lead author and professor of medicine Dr. David Relman from the Stanford University, who also happens to be the chief of infectious diseases at VA Hospital, explained that low levels of Lactobacillus and higher levels of gardnerella and ureaplasma, bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis, may be the culprit. They have seen similarities in the bacterial presence in women who have a known history of giving birth to premature babies.

Fox News reports that the team has observed 49 women between the ages of 18 and above during pregnancy and after childbirth. The researchers have examined the presence of bacteria in their vagina, body secretions, stools and gums. Out of all the subjects, 15 women have delivered premature babies, which the researchers have discovered that lactobacillus levels have reduced after delivery and have been replaced by gardnerella and ureaplasma.

Although there is no clear explanation as to why this change happens or how its presence will affect the health of the individual, the researchers can see a link in the possibility of giving birth prematurely in subsequent pregnancies.

Medical News Today adds that a child is considered premature if he is born before 37 weeks. Based on reports of the World Health Organization, there are about 15 million premature babies born annually all over the globe. Premature birth happens to be the leading cause of mortality in children below the age of five. Furthermore, those who survive has a greater chance of developing medical complications later in life.

The findings of the study, although in need of further studies because of the small sample size, may help experts predict if a pregnant woman will give birth to a preterm baby. Professor Relman believed it can assist in the screening and identification of high risk women to at least provide necessary precautions all throughout the pregnancy.