Hygiene products can trigger premature birth

Components of intimate hygiene products can accumulate in the vagina and contribute to spontaneous preterm birth, scientists from Columbia University have foundб, Nature Microbiology reported.

The scientists measured concentrations of more than 700 different substances released by vaginal microbes in samples from 232 women. Eighty of them had pregnancies that ended in preterm birth before 37 weeks.

The analysis showed that levels of some substances were significantly higher in women who gave birth early. These included diethanolamine, tartrate, and ethylenediaminetetetraacetic acid. Scientists have not identified the source of these substances, but it is known that they can all be found in cosmetics and hygiene products.

Using machine learning models, the team also developed an algorithm to predict preterm birth based on the concentrations of substances in vaginal secretions, a woman's age, weight, race and history of previous births.

 

 

 

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