A new test may help predict if a pregnant woman will give birth prematurely.

And doctors say that could help them plan care and help prevent some of the health risks that a premature baby faces.

Perry Olson has more in tonight's Eye on Health.

Like most expectant mothers Regina Biscoglio is worried about the health of her unborn baby.

(REGINA BISCOGLIO, EXPECTANT MOTHER) "ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S MOST CONCERNING, IS IF THE BABY IS BORN PREMATURELY. THERE ARE SO MANY POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES TO THAT."


But according to new study a simple test could calm those fears - by helping predict premature labor... It is called the lac-test... And measures lactic acid...

(SOT-PROFESSOR PHILIP STEER, CONSULTING OBSTETRICIAN, BRITISH JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY) "IN LABOR, THE WOMB IS CONTRACTING AND SO THAT PRODUCES LACTIC ACID AND THAT'S WHAT'S PICKED UP ON THIS TEST."


THERE ARE MORE THAN 500-THOUSAND PREMATURE BIRTHS EVERY YEAR IN THE U-S ... PUTTING BABIES AT RISK OF SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS.

(SOT-DR. JACQUES MORITZ, DIRECTOR OF GYNECOLOGY, ST. LUKES ROOSEVELT HOSPITAL) PREMATURE DELIVERIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LUNG PROBLEMS, RESPONSIBLE FOR A WHOLE SLEW OF PROBLEMS. (03:54)


When a woman's water breaks **sooner** than expected, it's considered a sign that she will go into labor. But in fact just a third of these women actually give birth prematurely. Researchers in Sweden used the lac-test on women whose water broke early to determine which ones were in danger. Eighty seven percent with high lactic acid levels went into labor within 48 hours. Doctors say knowing this could be vital when treating the mother... and keeping the baby healthy.

(SOT-DR. JACQUES MORITZ) "YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM STEROIDS, KIND OF LIKE THE STRONG STEROIDS, AND IT TURNS THE BABY'S LUNGS ON SO THAT THE BABY WILL NEED LESS SUPPORT TO BREATHE."


The Lac-Test kit is already available on-line. It's most often used by athletes to measure the amount of lactic acid in their blood to see if they're training hard enough. Now it could be a new tool for expectant moms and doctors. With your Eye on Health, Perry Olson, KX News. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list