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February 1, 2025 – The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM)
Preterm birth, defined as delivering before the 37th week of pregnancy, remains one of the leading causes of infant mortality and long-term health complications in the United States. Despite ongoing advancements in obstetrics, the country has struggled with persistently high preterm birth rates, earning a D+ in the March of Dimes Annual Report Card for the third consecutive year.
However, a new study presented at SMFM’s annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting, offers hope for improving neonatal outcomes. Researchers from a multi-center, randomized controlled trial have found that a simple biomarker test, when combined with targeted interventions, significantly reduced neonatal morbidities, NICU admissions, and the time spent in the NICU.
The study, which enrolled 5,018 pregnant individuals across 19 centers in the United States, focused on a low-risk population—those without common preterm birth risk factors such as previous preterm births, short cervix, multiple gestations, or chronic medical conditions. The biomarker test, administered during the second trimester, analyzed blood samples to identify those at higher risk for preterm birth. Among participants, 23.5% were classified as high risk.
Participants who tested at high risk were provided with a regimen of daily vaginal progesterone, low-dose aspirin, and weekly standardized phone calls with a nurse. Results were promising. The intervention group showed a 20% reduction in neonatal morbidity and NICU admissions, with infants who required NICU care staying 6–8% less time than those in the lower-risk group.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Brian Iriye, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine subspecialist at the High Risk Pregnancy Center in Las Vegas, called the results “transformative.” “This study demonstrates the power of a biomarker test combined with a targeted treatment plan to improve neonatal outcomes, especially in a population without the typical risk factors for preterm birth,” he said. “It could fundamentally change obstetrics practice and help prevent neonatal complications linked to preterm birth.”
As the United States continues to face high preterm birth rates, these findings could pave the way for more effective preventative strategies and better outcomes for premature infants.
Disclaimer: This study is in its early stages, and further research and clinical application are necessary before widespread implementation.
