Prematurity and potential predictors.
Prematurity continues to be the leading cause of neonatal death and developmental disability, highlighting the importance of identifying potential predictors of prematurity as well as interventions that can be linked to the predictors. This review covers recent research on potential psychological, physiological, and biochemical predictors. Among the psychological stressors are depression, anxiety, difficult relationships, and lack of social support. Biochemical predictors include corticotropin-releasing hormone, cortisol, and fetal fibronectin. A program of research that links an intervention for prematurity with a predictor for prematurity, that is, massage therapy to reduce cortisol and, in turn, reduce prematurity, is then presented.
Field
Tiffany
T
Touch Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA. tfield@med.miami.edu
Diego
Miguel
M
Hernandez-Reif
Maria
M
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005326:Fetal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D005326:Fetal Proteins; D005353:Fibronectins; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone