Premature birth is a major risk factor for neonatal deaths.
As part of National Pregnancy Week which begins on 6 September, the charity Tommy's Campaign is appealing for 4,000 pregnant women to come forward to take part in a trial which could halve the risk of premature birth. The charity says an infection caused by the protein fetal fibronectin could be behind as many of half of all premature births. Research has shown that the presence of the protein in the vaginal secretions of women who have passed their 23rd week of pregnancy is a good indicator of premature birth. Women taking part in the trial must be under 23 weeks through their pregnancy, have a history of miscarriage or premature birth or have had cervical surgery since their last pregnancy. The trial will be carried out in six hospitals in the south-east of England.