Preterm Birth: A Narrative Review of the Current Evidence on Nutritional and Bioactive Solutions for Risk Reduction

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Preterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity.
• The exact causes of PTB are largely unknown, but increased inflammation is implicated.
• Current interventions for PTB are limited to specific populations, highlighting the need for primary prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize existing evidence on nutritional and bioactive interventions for reducing PTB risk.
• To identify promising nutrients and bioactive compounds for primary PTB prevention.
• To discuss the need for large-scale clinical trials on nutritional strategies for PTB.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on nutritional and bioactive interventions for PTB.
• Analysis of evidence for various nutrients including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), zinc, vitamin D, and others.
• Discussion of the efficacy and limitations of current PTB prevention strategies.

Main Results:

• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is identified as a highly promising nutrient for reducing early PTB risk.
• Other nutrients like zinc and vitamin D show potential, with varying evidence depending on population nutritional status.
• Preliminary evidence exists for several other micronutrients and probiotics, warranting further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Nutritional and bioactive interventions represent a promising avenue for the primary prevention of PTB.
• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) demonstrates significant potential for reducing PTB.
• Large, well-designed clinical trials are crucial to validate these findings and establish effective nutritional strategies for PTB prevention.