HUNDREDS of premature births could be prevented each year thanks to a new test which could identify women at high risk.
A simple stitch can then be used to slash that risk by nearly three-quarters, a new study has revealed.
PA
The ultrasound test could be used on women who had a caesarean section in the late stage of their previous pregnancy, which increases their chance of premature birth in later deliveries.
Between 2,000 and 5,000 women each year become pregnant in the UK who have had a late-stage C-section in their previous pregnancy.
“We hope this will help to reduce rates of preterm births and prevent future baby loss,” Amrita Banerjee, of University College London, told iNews
C-sections performed late in pregnancy are more likely to scar the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus.
This reduces its ability to function effectively, increasing the risk of the cervix opening up and letting in harmful bacteria, which can cause premature birth.
A preterm birth is one that happens before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy.
Babies who are born early are at higher risk of several health issues and death compared to babies born after full gestation.
By using a transvaginal ultrasound technique, researchers have found they can identify women with these potentially problematic scars.
This involved an ultrasound probe being inserted into the vagina and moved on either side to work out the cervical length and the height of the C-section scar.
If researchers can see a scar, then they found women were more likely to have a preterm birth.
Once a scar has been detected, medics can close the cervix with a stitch, known as a cervical cerclage, reducing the risk of infection and, in turn, premature birth.
About 15 per cent of women who have a C-section section in the late stages of labour are at increased risk of preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies.
In the paper published in the American Journal of Obstetrics, the experts found that using the test and cervical stich method cut that risk to 4.1 per cent – a reduction of 73 per cent.
“If, from this, we can identify women [at risk] and put a stitch in place, it reduces the risk of preterm birth massively – improving outcomes for both mother and child,” Professor Anna David, also of UCL added.
The stitch did its job and helped me to stay pregnant
Katie Bonful
The experts are now preparing for bigger trials to confirm the exciting results.
Cervical stitches, also known as cerclages, are already used on the NHS to reduce the risk of pre-term birth and miscarriage for women who had a previous premature birth, late miscarriage or cervical surgery.
The researchers want doctors to also use the stitch in hundreds of high-risk pregnancies a year that occur after late-stage C-sections.
Katie Bonful, from Kent, experienced two late miscarriages back-to-back in three years.
She has since had three babies, after having a cervical cerclage.
“Thankfully the stitch did its job and helped me to stay pregnant and pass my danger zone,” she told the newspaper.
What causes premature birth?
In certain cases a premature birth may be planned because it is safer for the baby due to certain health conditions.
Factors such as multiple births, e.g., twins or triplets, are known to raise the risk of being born early.
Complications such as an infection or a problem with the cervix can cause an early birth.
Lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking excessively or doing drugs can contribute to premature birth, as does being extremely under or overweight.
Leaving less than six months between pregnancies can be a factor, as is a physical injury or trauma or a particularly stressful life event.
In some cases there is no definitive cause for an early birth.
What are the risks?
There are a huge amount of risks associated with being born so early, as often, babies’ organs and systems are not yet fully formed.
They may have health and development problems as they haven’t developed enough in the womb.
Sometimes, babies will have to spend time on ventilators or in incubators to get their strength up and be fed by a tube.
They will likely need to stay in hospital for a while as they grow in size and strength.
Short-term problems can also include issues with their gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
A blood test may be able to give several days warning of premature birth according to scientists who have discovered that infections can prompt the baby’s immune system to “reject” its mother.
Jaundice can also occur among preterm babies.
There are also longer-term problems associated with premature babies, including vision and hearing problems, impaired learning and behavioural issues.
They can also develop more serious conditions such as cerebral palsy and asthma.