Cervix treatment has ‘no baby risk’

Published on 17/08/2012 01:31

Women who undergo a common treatment of the cervix are not likely to have a premature baby later in life, scientists have said.

Contradictory to previous research, a study found that women who undergo loop excision do not have an increased risk of an early baby.

Changes to the cells of the cervix can be picked up through a smear test. Women who have an abnormal smear test result are usually invited to hospital for further investigation. Treatment is then offered to remove any pre-cancerous cells.

Previous research suggests that such treatment may later increase the risk of a woman having a baby before it reaches its due date.

The new study, by scientists at Queen Mary, University of London, looked at data concerning 44,000 women and found no such risk.