Home > Research > Publications & Outputs > Spectroscopic techniques as potential screening...

Associated organisational unit

Links

Text available via DOI:

View graph of relations

Spectroscopic techniques as potential screening tools for preterm birth: A review and an exploratory study

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineReview articlepeer-review

Published
  • B. F. Narice
  • M. A.García Martínez
  • E. Amabebe
  • D. Lazaro Pacheco
  • I. U. Rehman
  • D. O. Anumba
Close
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>21/04/2019
<mark>Journal</mark>APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY REVIEWS
Issue number4
Volume54
Number of pages20
Pages (from-to)348-367
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date20/06/18
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Preterm birth (PTB) is the single-most important determinant of infant adverse outcome worldwide, accounting for over 1 million neonatal deaths a year. Given its complex pathophysiology, prediction and prevention of PTB remain elusive. Current screening methods lack accuracy and reliability, and have failed to reduce the incidence and consequences of PTB. Hence, there remains a real need to develop noninvasive and more cost-effective screening tests, which can facilitate earlier identification of women at greatest risk, more timely prevention, and better risk stratification and management of PTB. Spectroscopic techniques have shown great promise to meet this demand. Therefore, in this article, the literature is reviewed to assess current evidence regarding the potential application of spectroscopic techniques to predict PTB via in vitro analysis of biofluids as well as in vivo study of cervical remodeling. In addition, preliminary data exploring the use of Raman spectroscopy (RS) to analyze cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) in pregnancy as a predictive tool for PTB is detailed for the first time with the aim to inform future avenues of research.