Bacteria Infect 1 in 4 Newborn Preemies
A new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology shows that nearly 1/4 of premature babies born between 23 and 32 weeks are infected with common bacteria found in women’s cervical fluids. Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis infections were found in 23% of cord blood cultures taken at delivery. These infections are important to recognize, because they increase a baby’s risk of having a serious inflammatory response and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
This study is significant for several reasons. First, it shows that babies are born with bacterial infections more often than researchers thought, and they are commonly infected with genital bacteria that are not routinely tested for in the NICU. It also shows that these infections can cause significant medical problems, and brings up the possibility of treating mothers who are likely to deliver prematurely with antibiotics which are effective against these bacteria.
Reference: R Goldenberg, W Andrews, A Goepfert, O Faye-Petersen, S Cliver, W Carlo, and J Hauth. The Alabama Preterm Birth Study: Umbilical Cord Blood Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis Cultures in Very Preterm Newborns. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Jan 2008. Vol 198, Issue 1.
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