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Antimicrobials for preterm birth prevention: an overview

Akila Subramaniam1, Adi Abramovici, William W Andrews

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35223, USA. akila.subramaniam@gmail.com

Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology
|April 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotics do not prevent preterm birth (PTB). A review of clinical trials found mixed results, and routine antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended for preventing PTB.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Preterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of infant mortality and illness.
  • Infection is a known risk factor for PTB.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review scientific literature on antibiotic use for PTB prevention.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of antibiotics in preventing PTB.

Main Methods:

  • PubMed database search for clinical trials and meta-analyses (1990-2011).
  • Keywords: "antibiotics or antimicrobials" and "preterm."
  • Full-text review of 31 selected studies.

Main Results:

  • Sixty-seven abstracts were initially identified.
  • Thirty-one studies (26 trials, 5 meta-analyses) were reviewed.
  • Antibiotic use for PTB prevention yielded mixed results, with no clear overall benefit.

Conclusions:

  • Routine antibiotic prophylaxis is not advised for PTB prevention.
  • Further research may be needed to clarify specific scenarios, if any, where antibiotics could be beneficial.
Abstract

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