Abstract

SCREENING OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS IN PRETERM LABOR

*Sinan Ahmed Saeed and Hanaa Hadi Kareem

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common lower genital tract infection among women of reproductive age, and has been associated with a number of significant obstetric and gynecologic complications. Treatment regimens recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in pregnant women include metronidazole 250 mg orally three times daily for 7 days or clindamycin 300 mg orally twice a day for 7 days. Cure rates vary in published studies, and this syndrome tends to recur after treatment in both pregnant and nonpregnant women. There is currently no consensus as to whether to screen for and treat bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy. Treatment has not been shown to decrease adverse obstetric outcomes in the general population at low risk for prematurity, although oral treatment for at least 7 days may be effective in decreasing preterm birth rates in women who have a history of a prior preterm delivery. Further study is required in order to advance our knowledge and understanding of the effects of this syndrome in pregnant women, and to make definite conclusions regarding the role of treatment in pregnancy.

Keywords: Bacterial vaginosis, labor.