A Cheap Plastic Ring May Prevent Premature Birth

Being born prematurely (before 34 weeks) during pregnancy is linked to a host of health problems, including:  breathing problems; blindness or poor vision; infection; and, death.  Over 13 million babies are  born prematurely every year.  One reason for premature births is a short cervix, defined as a length of 25 mm or less.  Physiologically, a short cervix does not accomodate a growing baby to term.

The Study

The Pesario Cervical para Evitar Prematuridad (PECEP) trial followed 11,875 pregant women (aged 18-43) in five hospitals in Spain. The women were randomly assigned to have a cervical pessary placed or to continue their pregnancy without one.  Unlike placebo studies, the control and study groups were known.

Results

Spontaneous delivery before 34 weeks of gestation was significantly less frequent in the pessary group than in the expectant management group.  How significantly?  In the group of women without the pessary, 27% of babies were born prematurely. In the group with the pessary. the rate of premature birth was 6%.  No serious adverse effects with the use of a cervical pessary were reported.

Maria Goya, one of the researchers at the Vall d’Hebron Hospital, said: “Placement of a pessary is an affordable procedure, non-invasive, and easy to insert and remove as required.”  Prof Steve Thornton of the University of Exeter, a spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, echoed the theme, adding, “The difference in the two groups is pretty amazing.”  Drs Steve Caritis and Hyagriv Simhan, of the Magee Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, said the findings had “renewed enthusiasm for the cervix as a therapeutic target” in preventing premature births.