Researchers in Australia have identified several factors that may put pregnant women at risk of a premature birth. According to the study led by Gustaaf Dekker, MD, Ph.D at the University of Adelaide, women may give birth early if they:
- Smoke marijuana
- Have a history of vaginal bleeding
- Have mothers with a history of pre-eclampsia
- Have mothers with diabetes
- Have high blood pressure
- Are very thin (body mass index under 20)
- Have a family history of babies with low birth weights
- Have a short cervix
“Better understanding the risk factors involved in preterm birth moves us another step forward in potentially developing a test – genetic or otherwise – that will help us to predict with greater accuracy the risk of preterm birth,” Dekker said. “Our ultimate aim is to safeguard the lives of babies and their health in the longer term.”
Dekker studied 3,234 women, and nearly 5 percent of them (156) went into labor preterm.
Studies have shown that babies born prematurely are more likely to develop conditions like cerebral palsy that arise from difficult or traumatic birth.
We have come a long way in determining cerebral palsy risk factors, and we learn about new ones all the time. With all these risk factors on the books, medical professionals have a responsibility to advise expectant mothers of these risks and provide medical care as needed. If you know someone who experienced a birth injury due to medical negligence, give us a call at 1-800-460-0606 to discuss your case at no charge.
Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP – cerebral palsy lawyers
