Researchers recently discovered that an estimated 15 percent of women in preterm labor harbored bacteria or fungi in their amniotic fluid, pointing out that infections may actually have a significant effect on premature birth.

PLoS One, the online scientific journal from the Public Library of Science, where the study was published, reported that the more seriously infected the amniotic fluid, the more likely the pregnant woman was to give birth to a sicker baby.

"If we could prevent these infections in the first place, or detect them sooner, we might one day be able to prevent some of these premature births," stated Dr. Dan DiGiulio, a researcher in the study.

To conduct the study, 166 women in pre-term labor at the Detroit Medical Center participated. Researchers at Stanford University searched for the DNA of germs on amniotic fluid samples collected from the female participants.

Using specialized molecular techniques and standard laboratory cultures, the researchers found a diversity of germs, over a dozen bacterial types and one fungus counting among them.

More than 500,000 babies are born prematurely every year. Although the figure has gradually increased for 20 years, doctors haven’t identified the cause of most preterm births or the means of preventing babies being born before completion of 37 weeks of pregnancy. Babies born too early face major problems, being exposed to a higher risk of death or dreadful disabilities.

The key result of the study is “a very, very important first step,” said Dr. Michael Katz, director of research and global programs for the March of Dimes, a US health charity focusing on improving babies’ health.  However, "there are still many hurdles," he added.