Premature birth warning during pregnancy: 'Infections and lack of follow-up increase the risk'

Trakya University Vice Rector and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Sedat Üstündağ stated that infections seen during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature birth and drew attention to the importance of expectant mothers to undergo regular health check-ups.

Üstündağ, at the meeting held at the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Medicine on the occasion of World Prematurity Day, said that approximately 13.5 million premature births occur in the world every year.

Emphasizing that the risk factors that lead to preterm birth should be known and the pregnancy process should be followed closely, Üstündağ stated that in addition to infections, smoking, alcohol use and various health problems can increase the risk of preterm birth.

Stating that infections can be controlled with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, Üstündağ said:

"Infection occurring due to health problems in the expectant mother can increase the risk of premature birth. If early diagnosis is made and treated appropriately, the most important factor of premature birth will be eliminated. If some structural disorders are detected early, it will prolong the child's stay in the womb. Close follow-up of the pregnant woman is the most important factor in preventing premature birth."

Stating that important studies are being carried out for the treatment of premature babies at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Üstündağ said, "A miracle took place in Trakya University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neonatal Medicine. The baby born in 22 weeks, weighing 450 grams, clung to life. The healthier the pregnancy and subsequent birth process, the healthier the society will be." he said.

Head of the Department of Child Health and Diseases, Trakya University Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Rıdvan Duran also said that one of the important reasons for premature birth is the infections seen in the expectant mother.

Stating that the pregnancy process should be followed regularly by gynecologists and obstetricians, Duran emphasized that unmonitored pregnancies increase the risk of premature birth.

Trakya University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Child Health and Diseases, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nüket Aladağ Çiftdemir stated that premature birth is among the important causes of deaths in the neonatal period.

Çiftdemir stated that babies born at 32 weeks and weighing less than 1 kilo 500 grams carry various health risks, and noted that close follow-up of expectant mothers and premature babies is vital.