The United Kingdom – a research team of King’ S College and University College of London discovered that the progesterone rate present in saliva makes it possible to determine the risk of premature birth.

Women who give birth to premature child, before 34 weeks of pregnancy, have a lower rate of progesterone in their saliva. Scientists have analyzed the saliva samples of 82 pregnant women at risk of premature birth. These samples were collected weekly from 24 weeks of pregnancy until 34 weeks or until delivery.

Depending on their date of delivery (before 34 weeks, between 34 and 37 weeks and after 37 weeks or at term), the researchers found that those women had progesterone levels in saliva rather different. Longer-term approach to the delivery and the rate is high.

Progesterone is known for its anti-inflammatory capabilities and a low rate of this hormone may make the body vulnerable to bacteria, known cause of premature birth. As this low rate can be detected from the sixth month of pregnancy, a simple test and non-invasive to the fetus could be developed and thus identify premature births.