Preterm birth (PB) continues to be the main cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, with emotional and economic consequences. Despite improvements in health, PB prevalence remains stable, possibly due to complex causes such as maternal age, stress, multiparity, etc. Shortening of the uterine cervix in early stages of gestation is a risk factor for PB. The presence of abnormal vaginal microbiota in the early stages of pregnancy is als a risk factor for PB. However, no studies have analysed the impact of probiotics (live microorganisms which, in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host) on the PB in high-risk PB patients (pregnant women with threatened preterm delivery, i.e., uterine contractions and cervical shortening, with a 30% PB risk before 34 weeks, and 50% PB prior to 37 weeks (> 6-10% PB). Similarly, the effect of probiotics on vaginal flora dominated by lactic acid-producing bacteria could be analysed.

Hypothesis

• Pregnant women with threatened preterm labour (TPL) will present vaginal microbiome different from those without TPL.
• Treatment with probiotics will modify the vaginal microbioma of pregnant women with TPL.
• The PB rate before 37 weeks in pregnant women with TPL who have received probiotics since their diagnosis will be reduced by at least 30%.

Goals

• To correlate the use of probiotics of pregnant women with TPL with the PB rate before 37 weeks.
• To ascertain the PB rate before 28, 30, 32 and 34 weeks in both groups.
• To assess neonatal morbidity between both groups.

Methods

Prospective, randomised, longitudinal, prospective, double-blind study.

Relevance

This study will determine whether the use of probiotics in pregnant women with TPL is associated with a lower risk of PB before 37 weeks. If so, it would allow us to act on the tertiary prevention of PB and treatment of TPL, the main cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in our setting. It will also facilitate understanding of the pathophysiology of PB, influence of vaginal microbiota and the mechanism of action of probiotics.

Inclusion criteria

• Threatened preterm labour: regular clinical and cardiotography-registered uterine dynamics, and cervical modifications (cervical shortening ≤ 25 mm between 24 and 29 weeks, and ≤ 15 mm between 30 and 34 weeks) according to our care protocol.
• Single gestation.
• Echographically-normal foetal morphology.
• Minimum age 18 years.
• Ability to understand informed consent.
• Signed informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Multiple gestations.
• Pregnant women with diagnosis of chorioamnionitis.
• Cervical dilation.

This study will allow us to determine whether the use of probiotics in pregnant women with TPL is associated with an increased risk of PB. If so, it would allow us to act on the tertiary prevention of PB and treatment of TPL, the main cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in our setting. Similarly, it will facilitate understanding of the pathophysiology of PB, influence of vaginal microbiota and the mechanism of action of probiotics.

Double-blinded RCT