[Health Tip] 1 in 10 Mothers Gives Preterm Birth... "Protect Health with Regular Checkups"

Preterm Birth Rate Increased 1.5 Times in 10 Years
Need for Pre-Pregnancy Screening to Manage Preterm Birth Risk

As the rate of preterm birth has been increasing recently, experts advise lowering the risk of preterm birth through regular check-ups and pre-pregnancy examinations.

According to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, the number of births in South Korea decreased by 45%, from 471,000 in 2011 to 261,000 in 2021. However, during this period, the proportion of preterm infants among newborns increased by about 1.5 times, from 6.0% to 9.2%.

Preterm birth refers to delivery occurring between 20 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. Newborns born before completing 37 weeks may have higher mortality and morbidity rates and can suffer from various complications such as behavioral disorders, cerebral palsy, autism, and asthma, requiring careful attention.

To prevent preterm birth, it is important to predict early labor. The most accurate prediction method is measuring cervical length through an ultrasound examination in mid-pregnancy. The cervix plays a role in preventing the fetus from exiting the uterus during pregnancy. While the cervical length should shorten as delivery approaches, if it shortens prematurely, the risk of preterm birth increases.

Generally, pregnant women between 18 and 24 weeks of gestation should be cautious if the cervical length is 2.5 cm or less. In such cases, preventive treatment may be necessary through progesterone therapy, a medication, or cervical cerclage, a physical method.

Especially for high-risk mothers, it is necessary to identify and correct risk factors for preterm birth from the pre-pregnancy stage. High-risk mothers include those who are ▲35 years or older ▲19 years or younger ▲have a history of frequent miscarriages, birth defects, or preterm births ▲have a family history of genetic diseases ▲have illnesses that may affect pregnancy such as diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, or asthma ▲are underweight or obese ▲have uterine or cervical abnormalities. Multiple pregnancies through in vitro fertilization also increase the risk of complications for both newborns and mothers, requiring caution.

Professor Ki-Hoon Ahn of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Korea University Anam Hospital emphasized, "Identifying and preparing for risk factors through pre-pregnancy examinations and regular check-ups during pregnancy is the surest way to protect the health of both mother and child. If risk factors are found in test results, it is important to visit a high-risk pregnancy clinic for intensive treatment and management."

Meanwhile, recently, in addition to existing treatments, related research is actively being conducted worldwide to identify the fundamental causes of cervical shortening for prevention and treatment. At the PREBIC-AA 2023 international preterm birth conference held recently in Australia, researchers from around the world presented studies aimed at preventing preterm birth and elucidating its mechanisms. Professor Ahn presented on "The Current Status of Preterm Birth Research in Korea" and "Hypotheses on Differences in Cellular and Extracellular Matrix Composition of the Cervix."

Professor An Ki-hoon, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Anam Hospital.
[Photo by Korea University Anam Hospital]

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