[Literature Library] Maternal protein status and risk of preterm birth

A Chinese study investigated the association between maternal protein status and risk of preterm birth together with gestational duration among urban populations. 3,382 mother-newborn pairs with data on maternal second-trimester plasma total protein (MTP) level and 3,478 mother-newborn pairs with data on maternal third-trimester MTP level were included in analysis. It was revealed that:

• >40% of the third-trimester MTP levels were smaller than the lower limit of normal while almost all second-trimester MTP levels were within the clinical reference range
• The third-trimester MTP levels were inversely associated with risk of preterm birth and were positively related with gestational duration while no significant association was noted for the second-trimester MTPs
• Influences of third-trimester MTP levels on risk of preterm birth and gestational duration were stronger in pregnant women with female offspring than those with male offspring