Chlorhexidine for prevention of neonatal colonization with group B streptococci. IV. Depressed puerperal carriage following vaginal washing with chlorhexidine during labour.
The effect of vaginal washing with chlorhexidine acetate, 2 g/l at delivery, on the colonization of the urogenital tract with group B streptococci (GBS) 4 days later was investigated. Patients who were culture-positive for GBS in urethra and/or cervix in pregnancy weeks 32 and 36 as well as at delivery were included in a prospective study. The washing procedure was performed in 31 parturients, and 10 (32%) were culture-negative at day 4 after delivery. In contrast, only 7/47 (15%) non-washed controls were negative at day 4 (p = 0.044). The results demonstrate a prolonged suppressive effect of vaginal washing with chlorhexidine on the recovery of GBS from the urogenital tract in this highly selected patient group.
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D002353:Carrier State / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae
D002710:Chlorhexidine