Protein Biomarkers May Detect Early Birth

A test using protein biomarkers may detect if an expectant mother is about to deliver early, say U.S. researchers.

Srinivasa R. Nagalla of the Oregon Health Science University in Portland and colleagues at the University of Washington in Seattle report that spontaneous preterm births — before 37 weeks — have increased steadily during the last 25 years and account for 70 percent to 80 percent of neonatal deaths.

The researchers have identified proteins present in women with preterm deliveries that could eventually serve as biomarkers for the condition, according to the study of 18 women published in the Journal of Proteome Research.

However, the finding should be confirmed in a larger group of women, the study authors said.