Paper - Review

DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.2239

Prevention (← of premature birth)
→ is a major public health priority
∵ Babies (← born before 37 weeks' gestation) → are at a higher risk ← 1⃣ neurodevelopmental disorders 2⃣ respiratory 3⃣ gastro-intestinal impairments

Individual risk factors ← for preterm birth
→ have been identified
→ Research have been undertaken to modify → these risk factors

A Cochrane review
→ identified 3 interventions
→ 1⃣ midwife-led continuity models of cares
2⃣ screening for (lower genital tract infections)
3⃣ zinc supplementation for pregnant women

These have not been evaluated
→ in a single investigation of preterm birth
← 1⃣ Air pollution 2⃣ Lead 3⃣ Pesticides

❗ phthalates → may be associated with preterm birth
❗prenatal concentration (← of these DEHP metabolites) → may be associated with preterm birth

Emerging body
← of toxicologic & epidemiologic evidence
→ association between (prenatal exposures → to environmental chemicals) & (preterm birth)

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