---

An observational study of bacterial vaginosis in preterm and term labour at a tertiary care centre in South India

---

Original Article

Author Details : Priyanka Chatterjee, Indira Hanumaiah

Volume : 3, Issue : 1, Year : 2016

Article Page : 38-42

Suggest article by email

Get Permission

---

Abstract

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a clinical condition caused by replacement of the normal hydrogen peroxide producing Lactobacillus species with high concentrations of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Studies have shown that spontaneous abortion, preterm labour(PTL), premature birth, preterm premature rupture of membranes,  amniotic fluid infection, postpartum endometritis are increased because of infection with BV. In India not many studies have been done to estimate the association of BV with peripartum and perinatal complications, hence this study was taken up to know the association of BV in preterm and term patients.
Objectives: To study the prevalence of BV in women presenting with preterm and term labour and to analyze its association as the causative factor of PTL. To analyze the maternal and fetal complications associated with BV.
Methods: An observational study involving 100 patients with preterm and term labour (50 patients in each group) was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in South India. BV was determined to be present or absent on the basis of Amsel’s criteria. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to demonstrate the difference between both groups with respect to various categorical data.  Independent t-test was used to compare the mean maternal age and mean gestational age at admission in both the groups.
Results: The proportion of patients who fulfilled Amsel’s criteria for the diagnosis of BV was significantly more in PTL group as compared to term labour group, and the difference was statistically significant. In PTL group more number of neonates born to women who had BV had low birth weight as well as neonatal complications as compared to those born to women without BV. Maternal postpartum complications observed were also more in women with BV as compared to women without BV in PTL group.
Conclusion: BV is major risk factor for PTL. Therefore the testing for BV and its prompt treatment may reduce the risk of PTL. This will also go a long way in the prevention of neonatal complications due to prematurity.

Keywords: Bacterial vaginosis, Preterm labour, Term labour

How to cite : Chatterjee P, Hanumaiah I, An observational study of bacterial vaginosis in preterm and term labour at a tertiary care centre in South India. Indian J Obstet Gynecol Res 2016;3(1):38-42

This is an Open Access (OA) journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.