title: Vaginal colonization by Escherichia coli as a risk factor for very low birth weight delivery and other perinatal complications.
abstract: This study evaluated the relationship of vaginal Escherichia coli colonization to birth weight <1500 g and other perinatal complications in a cross-sectional study of 2646 women at the University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, between October 1992 and January 1995. Vaginal E. coli colonization was more strongly associated with delivery at <34 weeks (relative risk [RR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-2.3) and very low birth weight (RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.7) than with prematurity between 34 and 36 weeks or low birth weight. Heavy growth of E. coli had a higher risk of very low birth weight than light growth (RR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.0-6.2). It may be important to screen and treat pregnant women for genital tract colonization with E. coli during prenatal care.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Pennsylvania 15213-3180, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Krohn
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Thwin
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Rabe
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hillier
mesh_terms: D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D010500:Perinatology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology