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. 2021 Jun;41(6):1-11.
doi: 10.1038/s41372-020-00808-7. Epub 2020 Sep 9.

Association between maternal cervicovaginal swab positivity for Ureaplasma spp. or other microorganisms and neonatal respiratory outcome and mortality

Karen Van Mechelen  1   2 , Marisse Meeus  3 , Veerle Matheeussen  4   5 , Gilbert Donders  6   7 , Yves Jacquemyn  6 , Ludo Mahieu  3
Affiliations

Association between maternal cervicovaginal swab positivity for Ureaplasma spp. or other microorganisms and neonatal respiratory outcome and mortality

Karen Van Mechelen et al. J Perinatol. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: We investigated the association between maternal cervicovaginal cultures, its antibiotic treatment, and neonatal outcome.

Study design: This retrospective cohort study enrolled 480 neonates born prior to 32 weeks' gestation. They were divided into groups according to maternal cervicovaginal culture results. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to predict neonatal outcome based on maternal culture results, adjusted for perinatal risk factors and neonatal morbidities.

Result: Maternal cervicovaginal Ureaplasma colonization was independently associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks (BPD) (OR 8.34; 95% CI 1.21-57.45). In neonates with and without maternal cervicovaginal Ureaplasma colonization BPD occurred in 12.3% and 3.8%, respectively. Maternal colonization with other microorganisms was associated with a higher neonatal mortality (p = 0.002), lower gestational age (p = 0.026), and birth weight (p = 0.036).

Conclusions: This study underscores the role of the maternal cervicovaginal microbiome as a predictor of neonatal outcome. Cervicovaginal Ureaplasma colonization seems not to be an innocent bystander in the multifactorial etiology of BPD.

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