Particle clusters named a culprit in premature birth

A new study of more than 100 pregnant women pinpoints the abnormal buildup of mineral-protein clusters in amniotic fluid (AF) as a potential culprit in premature birth. The findings open the door to developing therapies or dietary supplements that block the formation of these particles to prevent preterm birth, a leading cause of infant death and disability. Preterm birth is often preceded by premature rupture of fetal membranes, but without an identifiable cause (such as infection or inflammati...