The influence of the vaginal microbiota on preterm birth: A systematic review and recommendations for a minimum dataset for future research.

Objective: This systematic review aims to identify, critically appraise and summarize the results of studies examining the relationship between the vaginal microbiota and preterm birth (PTB).

Methods: We searched the electronic databases Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials for studies in any language reporting on vaginal microbiota and PTB published from 1990 to November 29th, 2017. We included any study that performed lower genital tract microbiota assessment in asymptomatic pregnant women and reported on spontaneous preterm birth, with either intact or ruptured membranes.

Biomarkers of spontaneous preterm birth: a systematic review of studies using multiplex analysis.

Objective: Despite decades of research on risk indicators of spontaneous preterm birth (PTB), reliable biomarkers are still not available to screen or diagnose high-risk pregnancies. Several biomarkers in maternal and fetal compartments have been mechanistically linked to PTB, but none of them are reliable predictors of pregnancy outcome. This systematic review was conducted to synthesize the knowledge on PTB biomarkers identified using multiplex analysis.

Impact of fetal gender on the risk of preterm birth, a national cohort study.

Introduction: Fetal gender is associated with preterm birth; however, a proper subdivision by onset of labor and corresponding neonatal outcome by week of gestation is lacking.

Material And Methods: Data from the Netherlands Perinatal Registry (1999-2010) were used to calculate relative risk ratios for gender by week of gestation and gender-related risk on adverse neonatal outcomes using a moving average technique. White European women with an alive fetus at onset of labor were included.

Tobacco control policies and perinatal health: a national quasi-experimental study.

We investigated whether changes in perinatal outcomes occurred following introduction of key tobacco control policies in the Netherlands: smoke-free legislation in workplaces plus a tobacco tax increase and mass media campaign (January-February 2004); and extension of the smoke-free law to the hospitality industry, accompanied by another tax increase and mass media campaign (July 2008). This was a national quasi-experimental study using Netherlands Perinatal Registry data (2000-2011; registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02189265).

Preterm birth in singleton and multiple pregnancies: evaluation of costs and perinatal outcomes.

Objective: To estimate costs of preterm birth in singleton and multiple pregnancies.

Study Design: Cost analysis based on data from a prospective cohort study and three multicentre randomised controlled trials (2006-2012) in a Dutch nationwide consortium for women's health research. Women with preterm birth before 37 completed weeks were included for analysis.