Relationship Between Vaginal Microbiome and Preterm Birth During Pregnancy: In Different Ethnic Populations

The incidence of preterm birth (PTB) varies and remains stubbornly high across different countries and regions. Besides, PTB can lead to a wide range of maternal and infant complications and even death in severe cases. Despite the severity of the consequences of PTB, the exact causes of morbidity remain unclear. In the past few years, with the development of the microbiome, a growing body of research focuses on the impact of vaginal microbiome (VMB) on PTB. Moreover, accumulating studies have suggested that the VMB plays a crucial role in the development of PTB. In addition, the VMB varies greatly in different populations. Therefore, in this review, we describe the normal VMB in women with or without pregnancy. Subsequently, we highlight differences in the VMB among ethnically diverse PTB populations. Overall, understanding the relationship between the VMB and PTB in different populations is essential for developing targeted interventions and personalized approaches to reduce the risk of PTB. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the specific microbial patterns and mechanisms underlying this association.