Characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women asymptomatic for bacterial vaginosis

Abstract

Study design: To determine the clinical, behavioral or demographic factors associated with asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV) and to examine if women with asymptomatic BV had a higher risk of a variety of pregnancy outcomes compared to symptomatic BV positive women. For this study, 1916 pregnant women who were 12 weeks' gestation or less were enrolled. Interviewers facilitated vaginal swab collection for BV assessment, and completed the baseline questionnaire. BV was identified by Gram stain.

Results: Forty percent of pregnant women screened positive for BV and a substantial proportion of BV positive pregnant women were asymptomatic (67%). Asymptomatic BV positive women reported lower stress scores (RR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.67-0.89), slightly more prior STD's (RR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07), and a higher quantity of Mobiluncus (RR = 1.04 95% CI: 1.01-1.07) compared to symptomatic BV positive women. We did not find an increase in adverse pregnancy outcomes related to BV symptomatology.

Conclusion: Among first trimester pregnant women, only stress, STD history, and quantity of Mobiluncus were associated with symptom reports among BV positive pregnant women. We also found that women with asymptomatic BV did not have an increased risk of a variety of adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to symptomatic BV positive women.