Pessary, a low-cost medical device commonly used to manage pelvic support defects, could substantially cut the risk of premature births in pregnant women, a Spanish study has revealed.
The study published online Tuesday in the medical journal 'The Lancet' showed that preterm birth rates significantly reduced in women who used a cervical pessary, particularly those with a short cervix.
In the controlled trial undertaken in five hospitals in Spain, the study doctors investigated whether the insertion of a pessary in women with 25 mm or shorter cervix - part of the lower section of the uterus - reduces the rate of early preterm delivery.
Premature births are linked to numerous health problems and risks, including respiratory distress syndrome, low blood glucose, jaundice and even death. About 13 million babies are reportedly born prematurely every year.
In the trial, 385 pregnant women aged 18 to 43 with short cervix were randomly assigned to insert a pessary into their cervix. According to the doctors, the trial met its primary endpoint with the proposition of spontaneous deliveries before the normal time frame of 34 weeks reduced in women who received a pessary.
In the group without pessary, 27 percent of babies were born prematurely, while the rate dramatically reduced to 6 percent in those fitted with a pessary. The study did not report any serious adverse effects associated with the use of the device.
One of the researchers, Maria Goya, said, "Placement of a pessary is an affordable procedure, non-invasive, and easy to insert and remove as required." The doctors, however, said more studies are required before the routine use of the technique.
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