Preterm Birth: The Role of Infection and Inflammation

Preterm birth is the leading preventable cause of neonatal morbidity. Evidence shows that common genitourinary infections, which can easily be treated, cause large numbers of babies to be born prematurely. Because of their biologically immature organs, these newborns require intensive neonatal care, which leads to excess hospital costs early in life (approximately $3000/day at the University of Colorado). Long term, these children require follow-up for a range of disabling conditions, such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, blindness, and/or deafness. Inexpensive screening during pregnancy can detect such common infections as bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, and urinary tract infection; prompt treatment of these infections can effectively reduce admissions for preterm labor evaluation and can lower preterm birth rates. Bacterial vaginosis, in particular, has been consistently associated with a significantly increased risk of preterm births. Selective use of antibiotics in women during preterm labor and premature rupture of membranes significantly reduces both preterm birth rates and the risk of complications--in particular, from group B streptococcus (GBS) infection--in both babies and mothers. Implementation of appropriate screening and treatment of bacterial vaginosis and other prevalent infections can dramatically reduce the excess morbidity and mortality of infants "born too soon" because of reproductive tract infection.