New guidelines on pre-term birth

New recommendations from NICE have called for the use of magnesium sulfate in preterm labour to be increased.  Studies have shown that cerebral palsy rates are significantly lower when magnesium sulfate is given to women at risk of preterm labour, as it protects developing babies’ brains.

The NICE recommendations also include treatment to prevent the early opening of the cervix for those who have previously lost a baby mid-trimester or had a pre-term birth.

Professor Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive of NICE, commented on the recommendations: “We know the risks of long-term developmental problems are greater the earlier a baby is born.  This quality standard highlights key issues, originally raised in the NICE guideline on Preterm labour and birth, where care needs to improve.

For instance the quality standard calls for greater use of magnesium sulfate in women at risk of a preterm birth, which we know has significant potential to reduce disability among babies born preterm.”

Preterm labour (prior to 37 weeks) is the biggest cause of neonatal death and disability in the UK. In 2013, 7% of live births were born preterm in England and Wales.

For more on this story see here.

And to view the Quality Standard visit NICE here