A research team led by Professor Ahn Ki-hoon of Korea University Anam Hospital has found the relationship between cone biopsy and premature birth for the first time.

According to the study, the experience of cone biopsy increases the risk of premature birth, especially if a uterine infection accompanies it.

A cone biopsy removes a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix and is widely used to treat and diagnose cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. It is also used as a treatment method to remove all cancer cells in case of intraepithelial cancer and micro-invasive cervical cancer.

The team studied uterine infections, cervical endoscopy, infectious diseases, and infectious diseases simultaneously through animal experiments. Although the prevalence of premature birth was 0 percent in average cases, it was 30 percent in the cases of the cervical, intrauterine contraceptive group and 60 percent in the cases of infectious cases.

However, the incidence of cervical, intrauterine intussusception was 100 percent, suggesting that the fetus is very likely to be born prematurely.

Premature delivery means giving birth within 20 weeks to 37 weeks of gestation, which accounts for 5 to 18 percent of the total pregnancy. Preterm birth, which is considered to be the primary cause of infant death, can accompany various complications as well as the birth of immature newborns.

The Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology_{대한산부인과학회} has included the cervical biopsy as a risk factor in the high-risk pregnancy classification, the first study to show the correlation between the experience of one biopsy and the risk of premature birth.

The problem is that the age at onset of cervical lesions is getting low, and the age group that is mostly undergoing treatment is women in their 20s to 40s.

"Mothers who have undergone cervical biopsy for treatment and testing should be aware of the risk of premature birth and should ensure that the fetus is fully mature before birth,” Professor Ahn said. "It is important to pay attention to the selection of the extent of abstinence in the treatment of cervical tissue in women of childbearing."