Why autoantibodies may be linked to preterm birth risk in some women
UCSF researchers have identified specific autoantibodies that may trigger early labor, potentially explaining some cases of preterm birth. This discovery, made using a new immune profiling tool, could lead to better screening methods and preventative treatments.
Why it matters
Preterm birth is a leading cause of newborn mortality, and identifying biological markers could significantly improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
by University of California, San Francisco
edited by Sadie Harley , reviewed by Robert Egan
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add to Preferred Sources Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A typical pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, but for about 1 in 10 pregnant women labor begins too soon. Premature or preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn deaths worldwide. Yet doctors have struggled to understand why preterm birth occurs—or how to predict which pregnancies are at highest risk.
Now, researchers at UC San Francisco have discovered antibodies that play a role in triggering early labor. The antibodies were present in higher levels and appeared earlier in pregnancy in women who went on to give birth to their babies before 37 weeks' gestation compared to women who delivered their babies at term.
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