Simple injection could prevent thousands of premature births – the number one cause of infant death
Up to one in eight British mums to be go into labour too early, but there are currently few effective ways of stopping it
A SIMPLE injection could prevent thousands of premature births – the number one cause of infant death and long term illnesses.
Up to one in eight British mums to be go into labour too early and scientists reckon their groundbreaking research may now offer a solution.
Being born too soon when the lungs, brain and other organs have not developed can make babies highly vulnerable.
There are currently few effective ways of stopping premature births but the new injection includes a protein that protects the womb.
Scientists have identified a molecule known as PIBF1 that maintains a pregnancy to full term by preventing the uterus from becoming inflamed.
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The discovery reported in Nature Medicine may lead to new treatments to stop premature births.
These happen before 37 weeks of pregnancy and although it is a complex condition, infection of the mother and ensuing inflammation are very common triggers.
Professor Kang Chen, of Wayne State University, Detroit, has performed proof of concept and efficacy studies in animal models, and filed a patent for the potential therapeutic approach.
The UK has the highest rate of premature births in Europe, with about 60,000 babies arriving too soon.
Survival rates have soared with nearly eight in ten weighing 2lb 2oz, dubbed 'sugar bag babies', now expected to live compared with 20 per cent in 1980.
But some premature babies suffer long term damage and go on to develop severe disabilities such as cerebral palsy.
One in three may suffer from developmental delays and behavioural problems at school.
A premature baby is one that has been born less than 37 weeks into the pregnancy.
This is about three weeks earlier than normal. A normal pregnancy will last between 37 to 42 weeks after the mother becomes pregnant.
Women who have already had a premature baby, women carrying twins or with a multiple pregnancy, women under 17 or over 35 and women who have had three or more abortions all have an increased risk of having a premature baby.
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