European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

STUDY THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS AND PRETERM AND TERM DELIVERY

*Dr. Arabiya Abdulghafoor Ahmed

ABSTRACT

Bacterial vaginosis is a clinical condition caused by replacement of the normal hydrogen peroxide producing Lactobacillus spp. in the vagina with high concentrations of characteristic sets of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Bacterial vaginosis is believed to be a risk factor for preterm delivery. Bacterial vaginosis is reported in 10-41% of women with an evidence of maternal and fetal morbidity. Studies have shown that spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery (PTD), premature birth, preterm premature rupture of membranes, amniotic fluid infection, postpartum endometritis are increased because of infection with bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy. This observational study aimed to study the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in women presenting with preterm and term delivery, to analyze the causal relationship between BV and PTD and to analyze the maternal and fetal complications associated with bacterial vaginosis. This current study included 30 patients with preterm and 50 patients with term delivery at Haditha General Hospital/ Iraq. Bacterial vaginosis was determined to be present or absent on the basis of Amsel’s criteria. The proportion of patients who fulfilled Amsel’s criteria for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis was significantly higher in preterm delivery group as compared to term delivery group. In preterm delivery group, a higher number of neonates born to women who had bacterial vaginosis had low birth weight as well as neonatal complications as compared to those born to women without bacterial vaginosis. Maternal postpartum complications were also higher in women with bacterial vaginosis as compared to women without bacterial vaginosis in the preterm delivery group. It can be concluded that bacterial vaginosis is a major risk factor for preterm delivery. Therefore, testing for bacterial vaginosis and its prompt treatment may reduce the risk of preterm delivery. This will also go a long way in the prevention of neonatal complications due to prematurity.

Keywords: Bacterial vaginosis, Preterm delivery, Term delivery.