Preterm Births and PROM Testing Market Report

The increasing prevalence of premature births is greatly fuelling the need for more advanced testing and diagnostic options, resulting in the preterm and PROM testing kit market growth. The heightened chance of infections and other issues for mothers and infants highlights the necessity of efficient screening instruments. As per the 2023 WHO report, close to 1 million infants die each year because of complications related to preterm birth, which is a major factor in child mortality. More than 20% of deaths before age five are due to preterm births, frequently caused by infections during pregnancy, with the risk increasing as the baby is born earlier. The need for better diagnostic tools to manage and reduce the risks associated with preterm births and premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) is being fuelled by these alarming data. With advancements in screening and diagnostic technologies to improve early detection and outcomes for moms and babies, healthcare is progressing.

Furthermore, according to one of the reports, mothers with a prom duration of over 72 hours showed a higher risk of placental infection, and babies, and are at higher risk for pneumonia and intracranial haemorrhage, results in an increasing need for Point-of-Care testing. Additionally, from the reports of NIH, women with preterm prelabour rupture of membranes showed 7.3% statistically higher incidence in HPV positive group compared to the 3.2% HPV negative group, for this reason, many market players are introducing research to reduce per-test cost and enhance the accuracy of results, significantly, benefiting the market growth.  For instance, in January 2024, the Ministry of health of British Columbia announced to launch of self-screening programs to detect cervical cancer, offering to choose,and order a kit of self-screen for the human papillomavirus to increase prevention into their own hands. 

Growing awareness and advancements in the efficiency, accuracy, and affordability of prenatal testing are driving market growth and encouraging the implementation of AI-powered screening programs. These innovations enhance prenatal care by providing more precise and timely diagnostics and innovative product introduction by market players. For instance, in December 2023, Siemens Healthineers announced to launch the Acuson Maple AI-powered Ultrasound system, which has received FDA approval. This advanced system aims to address repetitive tasks and streamline radiology workflows. It features automatic calculations for fetal age and weight, reducing examination time by 24% compared to traditional ultrasound methods. Additionally, the system offers 75 minutes of unplugged scanning capability and includes 25 features designed to improve usability and workflow efficiency, such developments are improving the effectiveness and accessibility of prenatal care, which is greatly enhancing the management of maternal and newborn health. An important advancement in prenatal care is the incorporation of AI into screening tools, which could improve operational effectiveness and diagnostic accuracy.

Moreover, with rising demand for early detection and intervention to get preterm birth and prom testing to determine the risk of early delivery and identify the signs of labor and assessment of risk factors, many market players are developing technological solutions to reduce health disparities and provide disease diagnose and onset of preterm delivery related information. For instance, in March 2024, EDEN collaborated with GH labs to announce the launch AI-enabled ultrasound device, to revolutionize healthcare access particularly in low- and middle-income countries to identify high-risk pregnancies, providing timely interventions, and enhancing prenatal care, supporting health organizations and uplifting clinical guidelines. 

• AI and machine learning to analyze a complex data set
• Improving imagining techniques for better visualization of cervix and fetus
• Wearable uterine tracking device enabling real-time monitoring
• Advances in biomarker tests for more accurate predictions
• Accessibility of an at-home testing kit allows to perform a preliminary test
• Advances in genomics and tailored interventions availability

Complexity in operating advanced diagnostic tools including biomarkers and imaging systems, can be expensive, and lack of skilled operator is a major challenge limiting their accessibility in certain regions and healthcare settings. Specialized skilled trainers need to operate, with interdisciplinary knowledge, creating a barrier to widespread adoption access to training might be less in rural or remote areas in the healthcare sector, and these differences can impact the expansion of market. In addition, management of large amounts of data requires effective analysis, which can be a challenge for healthcare facilities with limited resources, impacting market growth 

However, ensuring proper use and interpretation of new diagnostic tests related to new diagnostic technologies and testing solutions can be challenging in integrating with existing healthcare systems and electronic health records (EHRs). For instance, in December 2023, Actim announced the release of a field safety notice, for Actim Partus and PROM test, due to testing result interference, because of the presence of lubricants in the vaginal specimen, resulting in misleading of clinical decision-making, causing a risk for under and overtreatment of the patient.

With increasing emphasis on screening to reduce the prevalence of cervical cancer cases, as clinical trials have shown an association between the excisional procedure of cervical cancer and the risk of preterm delivery, resulting in innovations in diagnostic technology by market players, such as improved biomarkers and advanced imaging techniques to reduce the number of cases. For instance, in January 2024, Life Cell announced the launch of an at-home self-test kit for women to screen for Human Papillomavirus (HPV), providing home comfort. Additionally, in March 2024, Roche announced to launch HPV self-collection solution to improve the testing access to women providing private collection of own samples, helping in identifying early detection of developing cervical cancer in women and expanding the capabilities of preterm birth and PROM detection

Furthermore, the growing advancements in testing for inheritable health conditions and the rise of e-commerce platforms are driving increased demand for advanced diagnostic options. This shift is prompting market players to introduce new testing solutions aimed at early diagnosis. For instance, in July 2023, Quest Diagnostics introduced a next-generation sequencing (NGS)-powered genetic test utilizing saliva specimens. This novel test is intended to determine the likelihood of developing nearly two dozen hereditary diseases, such as blood disorders associated with particular genes and cancers of the breast and colon.

The test is available through the company's online platform, Genetic Insights, which also provides personalized access to genetic counseling. This development reflects a broader trend towards integrating advanced genetic testing with accessible online services, enhancing early detection and personalized healthcare. As technology continues to evolve and e-commerce platforms expand, the availability and adoption of such advanced diagnostic tools are expected to grow, further supporting early diagnosis and informed health management. 

In North America, there is a notable increase in the preterm birth and Point-of-Care (POC) testing market due to an increase in premature births, improved technology, and a robust healthcare system. The healthcare facilities in the area are putting more emphasis on enhancing results with advanced screening and intervention methods. The market for POC testing is strong due to continuous technological advancements and high usage in medical facilities. The U.S. and Canada are leading the way in implementing advanced POC tests that offer quick and precise results, essential for improving the management of preterm births. This increase shows North America's dedication to improving prenatal care and health outcomes for mothers and infants.

However, Latin America has preterm births and the PROM testing market, is growing steadily due to differences in socioeconomic status and access to healthcare. With rising investments in healthcare technology and infrastructure, the POC testing market is expanding. Though gaps still exist, nations such as Brazil and Mexico are improving their ability to provide prenatal care. POC tests are becoming more widely available over time, which will aid in better early preterm birth detection and care.

Europe region is accounting for growth due to rising awareness campaigns and initiatives undertaken by non-profit organizations to address challenges faced by premature babies and their families and increasing government funding for rapid technological advancements, resulting in market growth. Increasing funding from the government for technological advancements continues to drive the growth of the market. Countries such as Germany and the UK are at the forefront of adopting new technologies and improving prenatal care practices, contributing to a growing demand for effective POC testing solutions in enhancing the early identification and control of premature births, fuelling the expansion of the point-of-care testing sector in the area.

In addition, the Asia-Pacific market is significantly due to rising preterm birth rates, driven by factors such as increasing maternal age and healthcare disparities as well as increasing healthcare expenditure and growing investment by leading companies creating a potential market in these regions and rising awareness, improving healthcare infrastructure, and a burgeoning middle class. Countries such as China and India are seeing significant investments in POC technologies to address preterm birth challenges, improving both the accessibility and standard of prenatal care, while also backing the advancement and acceptance of innovative POC technologies. Due to this, the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing an increase in market activity and growth, showing its dedication to enhancing maternal and infant health outcomes with advanced diagnostic and testing solutions.

Furthermore, the Middle East and Africa region face challenges associated with high rates of preterm births, which are caused by socioeconomic problems and barriers to healthcare. These issues are linked to elevated levels of premature deliveries. Although the Point-of-Care (POC) testing market is still in its infancy, it is showing promise given the growing emphasis on using technology to improve maternal health.

The report provides a detailed overview of the preterm births and PROM testing market insights in regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa. The country-specific assessment for preterm births and the PROM testing market has been offered for all regional market shares, along with forecasts, market scope estimates, price point assessment, and impact analysis of prominent countries and regions. Throughout this market research report, Y-o-Y growth and CAGR estimates are also incorporated for every country and region, to provide a detailed view of the preterm births and PROM testing market. These Y-o-Y projections on regional and country-level markets brighten the political, economic, and business environment outlook, which are anticipated to have a substantial impact on the growth of the preterm births and PROM testing market. Some key countries and region included in the preterm births and PROM testing market report are as follows:

• Preterm births and PROM testing market detailed segments and segment-wise market breakdown
• Preterm births and PROM testing market dynamics (Recent industry trends, drivers, restraints, growth potential, opportunities in preterm births and PROM testing industry)
• Current, historical, and forthcoming 10 years market valuation in terms of crop protection chemicals market size (US$ Mn), volume (Units), share (%), Y-o-Y growth rate, CAGR (%) analysis
• Preterm births and PROM testing market demand analysis
• Preterm births and PROM testing market pricing analysis overthe  forecast period (by key segment and by region)
• Preterm births and PROM testing market regional insights with a region-wise market breakdown
• Competitive analysis – key companies profiling including their market share, product offerings, and competitive strategies.
• Latest developments and innovations in preterm births and the PROM testing market
• Regulatory landscape by key regions and key countries
• Supply chain and value chain analysis in crop protection chemicals market
• Preterm births and PROM testing market sales and distribution strategies
• A comprehensive overview of the parent market
• A detailed viewpoint on preterm births and PROM testing market forecast by countries
• Mergers and acquisitions in preterm births and PROM testing market
• Essential information to enhance market position
• Robust research methodology