Preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation) is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide (~15 million/year).
The vaginal microbiome is a key determinant of preterm birth risk—Lactobacillus-depleted vaginal communities (CST-IV, enriched in Gardnerella, Atopobium, Sneathia, Megasphaera, Prevotella) are associated with increased risk of ascending infection, cervical Metal-Driven Inflammation, and preterm delivery.[1]Pruski & Correia 2021 — Direct On-Swab Metabolic Profiling of Vaginal Microbiome Host Interactions During Pregnancy and Preterm BirthPamela Pruski, Gonçalo D. S. Correia, Holly V. Lewis et al. · 2021Open reference 1 ↓
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Preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation) is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide (~15 million/year). The vaginal microbiome is a key determinant of preterm birth risk—Lactobacillus-depleted vaginal communities (CST-IV, enriched in gardnerella, atopobium, sneathia, megasphaera, prevotella) are associated with increased risk of ascendin
Ureaplasma: Colonization in preterm infants associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Prenatal trace element exposure affects infant gut microbiome programming and preterm birth risk.
Nickel in preterm formula may fuel pathogen expansion contributing to necrotizing enterocolitis post-delivery.
Statins explored for preterm delivery prevention.
Microbiome Connection#
Protective: Lactobacillus crispatus (CST-I) dominance—lowest preterm risk via D-lactic acid production and barrier maintenance. Risk: CST-IV (BV-associated) communities → ascending infection → chorioamnionitis → preterm labor. Ureaplasma: Colonization in preterm infants associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.[2]Nickel as a Catalytic Driver of Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Dietary Nickel, Microbial Metallomics, and the Activation of Nickel-Dependent Virulence Pathways in the Preterm GutKaren Pendergrass · 2026Open reference 2 ↓
Metal Connection#
Prenatal trace element exposure affects infant Gut Microbiome programming and preterm birth risk.[3]Xiong 2025 — Prenatal Exposure to Trace Elements Impacts Mother-Infant Gut Microbiome, Metabolome and Resistome During the First Year of LifeShimao Xiong, Bing Xie, Naiyi Yin et al. · 2025Open reference 3 ↓ Nickel in preterm formula may fuel pathogen expansion contributing to Necrotizing Enterocolitis post-delivery.[2]Nickel as a Catalytic Driver of Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Dietary Nickel, Microbial Metallomics, and the Activation of Nickel-Dependent Virulence Pathways in the Preterm GutKaren Pendergrass · 2026Open reference 2 ↓
Statins explored for preterm delivery prevention.[4]Whitaker 2021 — Could Statins Be a Novel Therapeutic for the Prevention of Preterm Delivery? Evidence from an Animal Model and Phase II Feasibility TrialEleanor Whitaker · 2021Open reference 4 ↓
Cross-References#
- Bacterial Vaginosis—BV as primary preterm risk factor
- Lactobacillus crispatus—protective CST-I dominance
- Necrotizing Enterocolitis—consequence in preterm survivors
- Ureaplasma—preterm colonization and BPD
- Gestational Diabetes Mellitus—GDM increases preterm risk
References 4
Numbered by first appearance in the article, then reconciled with its declared source list.
- 1
Pamela Pruski, Gonçalo D. S. Correia, Holly V. Lewis et al. (2021). Pruski & Correia 2021 — Direct On-Swab Metabolic Profiling of Vaginal Microbiome Host Interactions During Pregnancy and Preterm Birth. Nature Communications.
- 2
Karen Pendergrass (2026). Nickel as a Catalytic Driver of Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Dietary Nickel, Microbial Metallomics, and the Activation of Nickel-Dependent Virulence Pathways in the Preterm Gut. Zenodo Preprint.
- 3
Shimao Xiong, Bing Xie, Naiyi Yin et al. (2025). Xiong 2025 — Prenatal Exposure to Trace Elements Impacts Mother-Infant Gut Microbiome, Metabolome and Resistome During the First Year of Life. Nature Communications.
- 4
Eleanor Whitaker (2021). Whitaker 2021 — Could Statins Be a Novel Therapeutic for the Prevention of Preterm Delivery? Evidence from an Animal Model and Phase II Feasibility Trial. University of Edinburgh (PhD thesis).
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