Prednisolone, a steroid commonly used to treat asthma and eczema, can improve conditions in the womb in ways that appear to boost the chances of a normal pregnancy, scientists at the University of Liverpool have discovered.

The treatment substantially reduced levels of natural killer (NK) cells, which are thought to be important in promoting a healthy pregnancy.

However, an excess of NK cells appears to increase the chances of miscarriage, possibly by attacking the placenta. Two of the 29 women who took part in the trial, all of whom had had at least three miscarriages, have now had healthy babies, and another three are pregnant beyond the stage at which miscarriage most often occurs.

While the study was not designed to show whether the drug improved pregnancy rates, it has encouraged the research team to start a much larger trial of 700 women to determine its effects. If this confirms the expected benefits, it could help many of the one in fifty British women who miscarry at least three times.

Siobhan Quenby, who led the study, presented yesterday at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference in Copenhagen, said that prednisolone looked like a promising option for some of these women, though it was too early to be certain that it would have the desired impact.

“These are very exciting data, but the research is at a preliminary stage, so I cannot recommend it to patients without a proper trial,” she said.

“A randomised, controlled trial . . . is urgently needed, and I am in the process of setting one up.”

Peter Wright, chairman of the board of trustees for the Miscarriage Association, welcomed the study, though he warned women that more research was needed before the drug’s efficacy was proved.

“Anything that reduces the distress caused by pregnancy loss is welcome,” he said. “This is only a small sample but these are interesting results worthy of more research.”

Professor Lesley Regan, of St Mary’s Hospital, London, said: “There have been recent suggestions that steroid treatment may be useful for a subgroup of women with recurrent miscarriage, when given at the time of implantation or in early pregnancy.

“It is absolutely essential that we now embark on a randomised controlled trial of this treatment. My recurrent miscarriage unit and Dr Quenby’s unit in Liverpool are currently applying for ethical approval to conduct this trial.”

Women wishing to take part in the trial should contact Dr Quenby by e-mail, at: squenby@liv.ac.uk.

www.timesonline.co.uk/health
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