The formation of a large number of calcium crystals in amniotic waters contributes to premature rupture of membranes and premature birth, researchers from the Yale School of Medicine (USA) reported.
The researchers emphasize that this discovery is a serious step towards unraveling the difficult mystery of premature births, which are the leading cause of death and serious disabilities in newborns.
Until now, scientists have known that various infections, high stress in pregnant women and bleeding from the placenta are responsible for some of the deliveries before the planned end of pregnancy. However, the causes of many other births ahead of time remained unknown. In many unclear cases, women experience early contractions, dilatation of the cervix and rupture of the membranes.
A group at Yale University investigated the hypothesis regarding the relationship of excessive precipitation of calcium crystals in the membranes of the fetus with premature membrane rupture and delivery.
We have observed that in many women the results of protein tests in the amniotic fluid do not indicate inflammation and we have not been able to find any cause of premature births in some patients. We decided to look at what is happening to the membranes, the researchers explain.
Scientists knew that calcifying nanoparticles contribute to many diseases, including arthritis and atherosclerosis. Protein-calcium complexes disrupt many cell mechanisms and lead to cell death. Scientists wondered whether such changes could also damage the membranes of pregnant women.
Researchers used a special dye to mark calcium deposits in the membranes of the membranes and placenta in women who had an early rupture of the membranes and premature delivery. Using a special technique, nanoparticles with calcium were created in the amniotic waters, and the membranes were then exposed to such particles obtained from the amniotic fluid and their effects on cell function and lethality were studied.
After examining the membranes obtained from prematurely born patients, it turned out that calcification of the membranes was responsible for a large proportion of premature births. Fetuin has been detected in calcium deposits – the main protein involved in the formation of harmful calcium nanoparticles.
The researchers emphasize that the results indicate that calcium nanoparticles can be formed in the amniotic waters, which are deposited in the membranes of the fetus, and that the examination of the level of fetuin in the amniotic waters shows which women are at risk of giving birth ahead of time. Early diagnosis would help protect women at risk from giving birth too early. (PAP)