Preterm labor (PTL) and delivery (PTD) are the major causes of peri-natal mortality
and morbidity, accounting for 9-13% of all births, and associated with over 75% of
infant mortality. Infants born early are at high risk for problems in physical and mental
developmental, birth defects, cerebral palsy and mental retardation.
Subclinical urogenital infections have been implicated in up to 70% of adverse
pregnancy outcome, especially preterm labor and delivery. The most prevalent
microorganisms involved in intrauterine infections are urogenital Mycoplasmas.
Despite extensive research the rate of preterm labor and delivery has not decreased
in the last few decades. 9-13% of all births (12,000,000 total births per year, worldwide)
is premature, i.e. babies who are born at less than 37 full gestation weeks. It is
estimated that nearly 40% of neonatal deaths (between birth and one month of age)
and about 25% of infant deaths (from birth to 1 year of age) occurred in infants who
were preterm with low birth weight (LBW).
Promyco Diagnostics has developed a diagnostic tool that will address the
two fold unmet needs in PTL and high risk pregnancy monitoring:
1.Screening pregnant women that are prone to having pregnancy
complications due to bacterial infections at an early gestational week.
2. Monitoring pregnant women for bacterial infection as a diagnostic tool
for targeted antibiotic therapy at an advanced gestational week.