Some vaginal swabs can explain or at least induce explanations on the reasons for premature birth (source 1). Researchers from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons say vaginal swabs could help doctors. Their study published in Nature Microbiology (source 2), conducted on 232 pregnant womenindicates that the chemical products accumulated in the vagina, from personal care, have a role in a possible spontaneous premature birth.
“We need to take a closer look at whether common environmental exposures actually cause preterm births and, if so, where these exposures come from. “, explains the co-director of the study, Professor Tal Korem.
The link between microorganisms present in the vaginal microbiota et risk of preterm birth can now be established. Scientists have observed the metabolomethat corresponds to the complete set of small molecules found in a particular biological niche. With this technique, the researchers measured 700 different metabolites in the…