Biochemical Markers of Spontaneous Preterm Birth in Asymptomatic Women

Preterm birth is a delivery that occurs at less than 37 completed weeks of gestation and it is associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality. Spontaneous preterm birth accounts for up to 75% of all preterm births. A number of maternal or fetal characteristics have been associated with preterm birth, but the use of individual or group biochemical markers have advanced some of the understanding on the mechanisms leading to spontaneous preterm birth. This paper provides a summary on the current literature on the use of biochemical markers in predicting spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic women. Evidence from the literature suggests fetal fibronectin, cervical interleukin-6, andα-fetoprotein as promising biochemical markers in predicting spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic women. The role of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, as well as epigenetics, has the potential to further elucidate and improve understanding of the underlying mechanisms or pathways of spontaneous preterm birth. Refinement in study design and methodology is needed in future research for the development and validation of individual or group biochemical marker(s) for use independently or in conjunction with other potential risk factors such as genetic variants and environmental and behavioral factors in predicting spontaneous preterm birth across diverse populations.

Download Full-text

Biochemical Markers As Predictor Of Preterm Labor- Their Clinical Relevance And The Current Status

Gynecology Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine ◽

10.21613/gorm.2020.1108 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Suneeta Singh ◽

Madhusudhan Dey ◽

Sanjay Singh ◽

Shibu Sasidharan

Keyword(s):

Preterm Birth ◽

High Risk ◽

Preterm Labor ◽

Biochemical Markers ◽

Preterm Births ◽

Current Status ◽

Perinatal Morbidity ◽

Spontaneous Preterm Birth ◽

Fetal Fibronectin ◽

Asymptomatic Women

Preterm birth is associated with significant perinatal morbidity and mortality. Spontaneous preterm birth accounts for upto 75% of all preterm births. A number of maternal and fetal characteristics have been associated with preterm birth. With better understanding of the pathophysiology of preterm birth, various biochemical markers have been studied extensively to predict the preterm birth efficiently so as to intervene appropriately and timely in the cases that would benefit from treatment. This paper provides a summary of the current literature on the use of biochemical markers in predicting spontaneous preterm birth in symptomatic and high risk-asymptomatic women. Evidence from the literature suggests cervico vaginal fetal fibronectin,interleukin-6, phosphorylated Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1(phIGFBP1), placental alpha macroglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) and serum

Download Full-text

Development and validation of a tool incorporating cervical length and quantitative fetal fibronectin to predict spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic high-risk women. K. Kuhrt , E. Smout, N. Hezelgrave, P. T. Seed, J. Carter and A. H. Shennan. Ultras

Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1002/uog.15826 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 15-16

Author(s):

N. A. B. Simpson

Keyword(s):

Preterm Birth ◽

High Risk ◽

Cervical Length ◽

Spontaneous Preterm Birth ◽

Fetal Fibronectin ◽

High Risk Women ◽

Development And Validation

Download Full-text

Cervical length and quantitative fetal fibronectin in the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic women with congenital uterine anomaly

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1016/j.ajog.2019.05.032 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 221 (4) ◽

pp. 341.e1-341.e9 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alexandra E. Ridout ◽

Linda A. Ibeto ◽

Georgia N Ross ◽

Joanna R. Cook ◽

Lynne Sykes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preterm Birth ◽

Cervical Length ◽

Spontaneous Preterm Birth ◽

Fetal Fibronectin ◽

Uterine Anomaly ◽

Congenital Uterine Anomaly ◽

Asymptomatic Women

Download Full-text

Development and validation of a tool incorporating quantitative fetal fibronectin to predict spontaneous preterm birth in symptomatic women

Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1002/uog.14894 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 210-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

K. Kuhrt ◽

N. Hezelgrave ◽

C. Foster ◽

P. T. Seed ◽

A. H. Shennan

Keyword(s):

Preterm Birth ◽

Spontaneous Preterm Birth ◽

Fetal Fibronectin ◽

Development And Validation

Download Full-text

Development and validation of a tool incorporating cervical length and quantitative fetal fibronectin to predict spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic high-risk women

Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1002/uog.14865 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 104-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

K. Kuhrt ◽

E. Smout ◽

N. Hezelgrave ◽

P. T. Seed ◽

J. Carter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preterm Birth ◽

High Risk ◽

Cervical Length ◽

Spontaneous Preterm Birth ◽

Fetal Fibronectin ◽

High Risk Women ◽

Development And Validation

Download Full-text

Spontaneous Preterm Birth: Is Prevention with Aspirin Possible?

Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde ◽

10.1055/a-1226-6599 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Richard Berger ◽

Ioannis Kyvernitakis ◽

Holger Maul

Keyword(s):

Preterm Birth ◽

Low Dose ◽

Randomized Study ◽

Preterm Births ◽

Spontaneous Preterm Birth ◽

Dose Aspirin ◽

Nulliparous Women ◽

Low Dose Aspirin ◽

Secondary Analyses ◽

Double Blinded

Abstract Background The rate of preterm births in Germany is 8.6%, which is very high compared to other European countries. As preterm birth contributes significantly to perinatal morbidity and mortality rates, the existing prevention strategies need to be optimized and expanded further. About ⅔ of all women with preterm birth have preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes. They are bracketed together under the term “spontaneous preterm birth” as opposed to iatrogenic preterm birth, for example as a consequence of preeclampsia or fetal growth retardation. Recent studies suggest that low-dose aspirin does not just reduce the rate of iatrogenic preterm births but can also further reduce the rate of spontaneous preterm births. This review article presents the current state of knowledge. Method A selective literature search up until April 2020 was done in PubMed, using the terms “randomized trial”, “randomized study”, “spontaneous preterm birth”, and “aspirin”. Results Secondary analyses of prospective randomized studies on the prevention of preeclampsia with low-dose aspirin show that this intervention also significantly reduced the rate of spontaneous preterm births in both high-risk and low-risk patient populations. The results of the ASPIRIN trial, a prospective, randomized, double-blinded multicenter study carried out in six developing countries, also point in this direction, with the figures showing that the daily administration of 81 mg aspirin starting before 14 weeks of gestation lowered the preterm birth rate of nulliparous women without prior medical conditions by around 11% (11.6 vs. 13.1%; RR 0.89; 95% CI: 0.81 – 0.98, p = 0.012). Conclusion Further studies on this issue are urgently needed. If these confirm the currently available results, then it would be worth discussing whether general aspirin prophylaxis for all pregnant women starting at the latest in 12 weeks of gestation is indicated.

Download Full-text

Magnitude of spontaneous preterm birth and its associated factors among preterm birth in NICU wards in Asella Teaching and Referral Hospital, Asella, Oromia, Ethiopia

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/03000605211034693 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (8) ◽

pp. 030006052110346

Author(s):

Techane Sisay Tuji ◽

Addisu Dabi Wake ◽

Gezahegn Badeg Adere ◽

Aselefu Beka Wedajo ◽

Batu Dekeba Obole ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Preterm Births ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Spontaneous Preterm Birth ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Bivariate Logistic Regression ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Objective To assess the prevalence of spontaneous preterm births and to identify the associated risk factors. Methods This single-centre cross-sectional study enrolled women that experienced a preterm birth as registered on the neonatal log-book between 30 December 2019 and 30 December 2020. A pre-tested structured checklist was used to collect data (sociodemographic characteristics; obstetric-related factors; medical history; and pregnancy-related factors). Bivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to identify factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth. A multivariate model identified significant independent risk factors. Results A total of 310 patients participated in the study. The prevalence of spontaneous preterm birth in this population was 67.1% (208 of 310; 95% confidence interval [CI] 61.5, 71.9). Patients without a partner (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.470, 95% CI 1.23, 4.42), patients residing in a rural area (AOR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.123, 5.513) and those with a history of PIH during their current pregnancy (AOR = 0.104, 95% CI 0.053, 0.014) were significantly more likely to have a spontaneous preterm birth. Conclusion The prevalence of spontaneous preterm birth in in this study was high. Healthcare providers and all stakeholders should focus on screening pregnant women at the risk of spontaneous preterm birth.

Download Full-text