| Abstract [eng] |
Introduction. Each year, approximately 15 million newborns are born before 37 weeks of gestation. The organ systems of premature newborns are not fully formed, and it can cause health problems in the future. In addition, preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death. Premature birth prevention methods are applied, in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality rates of newborns. Studies show that progesterone, vaginal pessaries, or cervical cerclage may reduce the risk of preterm birth. Objective. To examine different methods of prevention of premature birth and their effectiveness. Methods. Selected metaanalyses and literature reviews published in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane library databases from January 2018 to March 2023. A total of 781 articles were found, of which 27 were selected. Results. Vaginal progesterone is an effective way to prevent preterm birth up to 32, 33 and 35 weeks of pregnancy, but has no effect on preterm birth up to 28 and 37 weeks. Intramuscular 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate reduces the risk of preterm birth at 32, 35, and 37, and oral progesterone at 34 and 37 weeks of gestation. Vaginal pessaries did not reduce the risk of preterm birth. Cervical cerclage using the Shirodkar technique statistically significantly prevents premature birth up to 32, 35, 37 weeks of pregnancy. By using several methods together, the risk of premature birth is not reduced. Conclusions. Vaginal, intramuscular progesterone are the most widely used methods of preterm birth prevention in high-risk pregnancies. Cervical cerclage can be used as an alternative method of prevention, but vaginal pessaries do not prevent preterm birth. |
