Health bulletin
Cheap device reduces premature births
A cheap medical device can dramatically reduce the number of premature births in some at-risk women, according to a team of doctors in Spain. Being born before 34 weeks of pregnancy is linked to a host of health problems. The study, published in the Lancet, showed that using a "cervical pessary" — a small ring of silicone, inserted into their cervix, reduced the rate in the at-risk group. In the trial, doctors were looking at women who had a cervix — part of the lower section of the uterus — which was shorter than 25 mm. These pregnant women are thought to be at a higher risk of an early delivery. Experts said that placement of a pessary is an affordable procedure, non-invasive, and easy to insert and remove as required. The study concluded the pessary was a "reliable alternative for prevention of preterm birth" in a group of at-risk women.
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