Bombay: A AI-based genetic study by local scientists could help reduce premature births, one of the main causes of infant deaths and disabilities.
Premature, or premature, birth affects the growth and development of organs such as the brain, heart, lungs, and liver. A premature baby is more likely than a full-term baby to have problems breathing, staying warm, or feeding and is at greater risk for developmental delays.
Now, a first-of-its-kind study in India has discovered three microorganismsthree genes and three bacterial pathways which trigger an infection in the birth canal of a pregnant woman, thereby increasing the risk of premature birth. The study is a joint collaboration between the National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH) based in Parel, the Indian Council of Medical Research Division in New Delhi and the National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS) based in New Delhi. biomedical informatics And from Noida Amity Institute of Biotechnology.
In India, one in every six babies born is premature, and in many cases the cause is unknown. Several studies have shown that microbial infections in the vagina can cause premature birth, but there has not been enough clarity on the types of organisms that cause it. “Our AI-based analysis has identified microorganisms and chemicals that can cause premature birth,” said lead author of the study, Dr Abhishek Sengupta of Amity Institute of Biotechnology. One of the authors of the study, published in the latest issue of the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, is Dr Deepak Modi of NIRRCH, Parel.
To identify the most common bacteria responsible for vaginal infections, the team analyzed global data from 3,757 women of different ethnicities. While 966 samples were related to premature births, the remaining 2,791 were from mothers who had delivered at term.
“We then applied an artificial intelligence approach and discovered some bacterial species that were found in higher numbers in women who gave birth prematurely,” the study authors said. Dr Sengupta said the team identified three microorganisms (Shuttleworthia, Megasphaera and Sneathia) that triggered the release of certain chemicals in high numbers that caused premature birth.
“The types of microbes that increase susceptibility vary by country of origin,” said Dr. Sengupta. For example, the bacterial composition in women from European or African countries was different from that of Indian women.
The researchers believe that the AI approach will help researchers better analyze their data and discover more about the microbes that cause preterm birth. “We are in the process of creating an AI-based software and kit that will be accessible to all women and doctors to identify microorganisms that cause preterm birth.” urinary tract infectionsexually transmitted infections or pregnancy-related complications,” they said.
In India, these apps could have a positive effect. Currently, premature births and low birth weight They are the leading causes of neonatal and infant mortality in India, with 3.5 million babies born prematurely and 0.3 million children dying each year before their fifth birthday due to complications of preterm birth.
