Preterm Birth
Conditions
Keywords
Probiotics, Preterm birth, Threatened preterm labour
Brief summary
Preterm birth (PB) continues to be the main cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, with emotional and economic consequences. Despite improvements in health, PB prevalence remains stable, possibly due to complex causes such as maternal age, stress, multiparity, etc. Shortening of the uterine cervix in early stages of gestation is a risk factor for PB. The presence of abnormal vaginal microbiota in the early stages of pregnancy is als a risk factor for PB. However, no studies have analysed the impact of probiotics (live microorganisms which, in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host) on the PB in high-risk PB patients (pregnant women with threatened preterm delivery, i.e., uterine contractions and cervical shortening, with a 30% PB risk before 34 weeks, and 50% PB prior to 37 weeks (\> 6-10% PB). Similarly, the effect of probiotics on vaginal flora dominated by lactic acid-producing bacteria could be analysed.
Detailed description
Hypothesis * Pregnant women with threatened preterm labour (TPL) will present vaginal microbiome different from those without TPL. * Treatment with probiotics will modify the vaginal microbioma of pregnant women with TPL. * The PB rate before 37 weeks in pregnant women with TPL who have received probiotics since their diagnosis will be reduced by at least 30%. Goals * To correlate the use of probiotics of pregnant women with TPL with the PB rate before 37 weeks. * To ascertain the PB rate before 28, 30, 32 and 34 weeks in both groups. * To assess neonatal morbidity between both groups. Methods Prospective, randomised, longitudinal, prospective, double-blind study. Relevance This study will determine whether the use of probiotics in pregnant women with TPL is associated with a lower risk of PB before 37 weeks. If so, it would allow us to act on the tertiary prevention of PB and treatment of TPL, the main cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in our setting. It will also facilitate understanding of the pathophysiology of PB, influence of vaginal microbiota and the mechanism of action of probiotics.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTProbiotic
Reduce preterm birth with this dietary supplement
OTHERPlacebo
Placebo
Sponsors
Maternal-Infantil Vall d´Hebron Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Double-blinded RCT
Intervention model description
Definition and design. Prospective, double-blind randomised study. Population Pregnant women admitted for TPL between weeks 24.0 and 34.6 of gestation at the participating centre.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Threatened preterm labour: regular clinical and cardiotography-registered uterine dynamics, and cervical modifications (cervical shortening ≤ 25 mm between 24 and 29 weeks, and ≤ 15 mm between 30 and 34 weeks) according to our care protocol. * Single gestation. * Echographically-normal foetal morphology. * Minimum age 18 years. * Ability to understand informed consent. * Signed informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Multiple gestations. * Pregnant women with diagnosis of chorioamnionitis. * Cervical dilation.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Preterm birth rate <37 weeks | From 24 to 37 weeks | To evaluate the percentage of preterm birth in each group (in days of gestation) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Preterm birth rate <34 weeks | From 24 to 34 weeks | To evaluate the percentage of preterm birth in each group (in days of gestation) |
| Preterm birth rate <32 weeks | From 24 to 32 weeks | To evaluate the percentage of preterm birth in each group (in days of gestation) |
| Preterm birth rate <30 weeks | From 24 to 30 weeks | To evaluate the percentage of preterm birth in each group (in days of gestation) |
| Preterm birth rate <28 weeks | From 24 to 38 weeks | To evaluate the percentage of preterm birth in each group (in days of gestation) |
| Intergroup neonatal morbidity | First year of life of newborns | To assess neonatal morbidity |
Countries
Spain
Outcome results
None listed