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. 1995 Oct;173(4):1231-5.
doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(95)91360-2.

The preterm prediction study: significance of vaginal infections. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network

P J Meis  1 , R L Goldenberg, B Mercer, A Moawad, A Das, D McNellis, F Johnson, J D Iams, E Thom, W W Andrews
Affiliations

The preterm prediction study: significance of vaginal infections. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network

P J Meis et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1995 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the association of bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas vaginitis, and monilial vaginitis with spontaneous preterm birth at < 35 weeks 0 days.

Study design: A total of 2929 women at 10 centers were studied at 24 and 28 weeks' gestation by Gram stain of vaginal smear, wet mount, and 10% potassium hydroxide preparations to detect vaginal infections.

Results: The rates of detected infection at 24 and 28 weeks, respectively, were bacterial vaginosis 23.4% and 19.4%, trichomonas 3.3% and 2.7%, and monilia 21.1% and 19.5%. The occurrence of bacterial vaginosis at 28 weeks was associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth, odds ratio 1.84 (95% confidence interval 1.15 to 2.95, p < 0.01). Detection of Trichomonas vaginalis (by wet mount) or monilia (by potassium hydroxide preparation) had no significant associations with preterm birth.

Conclusion: The presence of bacterial vaginosis at 28 weeks' gestation is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth.

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