It would be possible to identify the gestational age of a baby with a single drop of its blood, according to the results of a study published in the medical journal American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In fact, the analysis of his blood would make it possible to establish a metabolic profile which would be predictive of his real age. The interest? Better assess the risks of prematurity and thus optimize the implementation of appropriate care and prevention programs in countries at risk. Because in many countries, pregnant women do not benefit from medical examinations (ultrasound in particular) which make it possible to accurately determine the baby’s weight and therefore its estimated gestational age.
In fact, researchers at the University of Iowa (USA) have developed a model based on 5 years of data covering approximately 300,000 births monitored by the Iowa Newborn Screening Program. This model is based on 88 parameters and makes it possible to predict gestational age within 1 week for 78% of babies and within 2 weeks for the majority (95%) of babies. Finally, it would be able to differentiate preterm newborns (<37 weeks) from term newborns (= 37 weeks).
Their discovery could have positive consequences on the survival of premature babies in so-called countries with poor health resources. Because in these cases, when a baby is born, its true “age” is not known. “Knowing whether a newborn is premature or not can make all the difference in choosing the medical care a baby needs,” says Dr. Kelli Ryckman, professor of epidemiology and lead author. “Because, this data is critical in the therapeutic choices and the precise points of monitoring to exercise”.
An essential discovery for the establishment of a care program because “in low-income countries, half of babies born at 32 weeks (two months too early) die due to a lack of feasible and affordable care such as keeping warm, breastfeeding and basic care to treat infections and respiratory problems, ”recalls the World Health Organization.
Prematurity in France
In France, with 50,000 premature births per year, this worrying phenomenon is increasing. “The frequency of prematurity has increased by 15% over the past ten years,” explains Premup, the Foundation for Scientific Cooperation on pregnancy and prematurity. A phenomenon also observed in the world by the World Health Organization. “15 million is the number of premature babies born each year, which represents more than one in 10 babies. However, more than one million children die each year due to complications linked to prematurity”, recalls the organization.
Read also:
Premature babies: 3,000 babies die every day worldwide
Pregnancy: update on prematurity
Even late prematurity is dangerous for babies
