First Trimester Vaginal Ureaplasma Biovar Colonization and Preterm Birth: Results of a Prospective Multicenter Study

Background: While there is a proven association of upper genital tract Ureaplasma infection during pregnancy with adverse pregnancy outcome, the effect of vaginalUreaplasma colonization on preterm delivery has been controversially debated.Objectives: We hypothesized that women with isolation of vaginalU. parvum but notU. urealyticum are at increased risk for spontaneous preterm birth (SPB) compared to women with negative results.Methods: A vaginal swab taken between 12 and 14 weeks of gestation was analyzed for the presence ofUreaplasma biovars by PCR in 4,330 pregnant women.Results: Of the study cohort, 37% were positive forU. parvum, 5.9% forU. urealyticum, and 3.1% for both. The rates of SPB were 10.4% (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3, 2.2,p

Source: Neonatology - September 21, 2017 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Source Type: research