A new study has found that chewing sugar-free gum containing xylitol can lower the rates of preterm births, also known as preterm births.
Before we go into details, we emphasize that the information here is general and for guidance only.
A pregnant woman should not take any kind of chewing gum or food for any purpose related to pregnancy or any health condition without consulting a doctor.
The study was conducted by Dr. Kjersti Agard, a gynecologist and obstetrician at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and was conducted in the African country of Malawi, and it was reported by Newsweek, as well as other sites such as ABC News and York Alert. (Eurek Alert).
In Malawi, women have higher rates of gum disease, which has been linked to preterm labor due to the inflammation it causes, according to Dr. Kjersti.
Malawi also has one of the highest rates of preterm birth in the world, according to a press release from the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine sent to Newsweek.
It is estimated that 15 million babies are born prematurely each year, according to the World Health Organization.
Premature birth is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 5 years.
The press release said the study in Malawi included more than 10,000 women over a 6-year period.
Some of them joined during the first half of pregnancy, while others attended before pregnancy.
The study used 8 health centers that promoted oral health care, prevention and care for preterm birth.
Half of the centers were given xylitol gum to study participants.
The data in the summary of the study sent to Newsweek showed that among women who chewed gum containing xylitol daily during pregnancy, the rate of preterm birth was about 13%, and 9% had children with low birth weight.
In contrast, among those who did not chew gum, the rate of preterm birth was about 17%, and about 13% had children with low birth weights, according to the researchers.
"Using xylitol gum as an intervention before 20 weeks of gestation reduced premature births," Dr. Kjersti, lead author of the study, said in the press release.
Respiratory problems
Experts say babies born early are at risk for things like respiratory problems, feeding difficulties and developmental problems.
“The unique thing about our study is that we used an easily available, inexpensive, and acceptable method to reduce the risk of having a baby born too early or too young,” said Dr. Kjersti. “There is some real science behind choosing chewing xylitol to improve oral health, and our new application for improving birth outcomes is interesting. ".
Dr. Zsakiba Henderson, senior vice president and deputy medical officer responsible for impacting maternal and child health at March of Dimes—a nonprofit organization focused on maternal and child health—said in an email to Newsweek;
The organization is "cautiously optimistic" about the study, and it is a "promising avenue for follow-up", but it needs replication.
"...we welcome these findings, look forward to replicating them in other parts of the world with different groups of women and support further research on dental hygiene solutions for preterm birth," Henderson wrote.
What is xylitol?
Xylitol is a "sugar alcohol" commonly used as a sweetener.
It can be found naturally or synthetically prepared primarily from plant materials chemically or by fermenting hemicellulose from agricultural biomass by yeast or bacteria strains.
Xylitol has an antibacterial effect on the surface of the teeth, can reduce gingivitis, and is used as a preventive agent for dental caries due to reduced growth levels of pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis.
That's according to a research review published in the "Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology" journal.
Xylitol can bind to the calcium ion, which leads to the remineralization of tooth enamel, and it is also able to prevent osteoporosis.
Xylitol can reduce constipation, diabetes, obesity and other syndromes or diseases of the body, and it also has a stimulating effect on digestion and the immune system.
However, the research review said xylitol can produce some side effects, such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea and kidney stones, when taken in large amounts.
Xylitol stimulates the immune system, digestion, fat and bone metabolism, and helps control blood sugar and obesity.
What is a premature birth?
Premature babies are defined as babies who are born live before completing 37 weeks of gestation, according to the World Health Organization.
The organization says that there are subcategories of prematurity based on gestational age, which are:
Adult prematurity (less than 28 weeks).
Severe prematurity (from 28 to less than 32 weeks).
Intermediate prematurity (from 32 to less than 37 weeks).
An estimated 15 million babies are born prematurely each year, more than 1 in 10.
About one million babies die each year as a result of complications from preterm birth.
Many survivors face a life of disability, including learning difficulties, vision and hearing problems.
Prematurity is the world's leading cause of under-five mortality, and in most countries with reliable data the rate of preterm births is increasing.
The disparity in survival rates is stark. In low-income settings, half of all newborns born before 32 weeks' gestation (two months prematurely) die as a result of the absence of cost-effective care such as warmth, breastfeeding support and care. basic infection control and respiratory problems. In high-income countries, almost all of these newborns survive."
Why does premature birth occur?
Premature birth occurs for various reasons.
Most cases of preterm birth occur spontaneously, but some cases result from induction of labor or caesarean section, whether for medical or non-medical reasons.
Common causes of preterm birth include multiple pregnancies, infections, and chronic health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure;
However often the cause cannot be determined.
There may also be a genetic effect.
Increased understanding of the causes and mechanisms of preterm birth would help advance the development of solutions to prevent it.
Where and when does preterm birth occur?
60% of preterm births occur in Africa and South Asia, but preterm birth is in fact a global problem.
In low-income countries 12% of newborns are born prematurely, compared to 9% in high-income countries.
Within countries, poor families are most at risk, according to the WHO.
The five countries with the highest rates of premature birth per 100 live births are:
Malawi: 18.1 per 100 newborns
Comoros: 16.7
Congo: 16.7
Zimbabwe: 16.6
Equatorial Guinea: 16.5
The increase in preterm birth rates over the past 20 years is seen in all but 3 of the 65 countries with reliable data.
Possible reasons for this include improved measurements, increased maternal lifespan and underlying health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure, increased use of infertility treatments that lead to increased rates of multiple pregnancies, and changes in obstetric practices such as increased rates of caesarean section before the end of pregnancy.
The organization says that there is a huge disparity in the survival rates of premature babies, according to where they are born.
For example, more than 90% of preterm adults (<28 weeks) born in low-income countries die within the first days of birth;
Only 10% of those born in high-income environments die.