factor of 2.4 (95% CI 1.63–3.54) (11). If the pH is
found to be elevated, antibiotics are given. A local interventional
study (the Thuringia Preterm birth Prevention
Project, Thüringer Frühgeburtenvermeidungs -
aktion) has yielded promising results. In a subsequent
nation-wide pilot project sponsored by German statutory
health-insurance carriers, a significantly reduced
frequency of birth weight under 1500 g was
demonstrated (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66–0.95), but due
to considerable methodological deficiencies, these
results cannot be generalized (11).