The role of bacterial vaginosis in preterm labor and preterm birth: a case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To study the association between preterm labor and bacterial vaginosis; in women with preterm labor, to determine whether vaginosis modifies the risk of preterm delivery.


METHODS
Case-control study. We used Amsel's clinical criteria to test 102 patients hospitalized for preterm labor and 102 control patients for bacterial vaginosis.


RESULTS
Patients with preterm labor were diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis significantly more often (13.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (7.7-22.0) than control patients (0.0%, 95% CI (0.0-3.6)) (P<0.001). Among the former, the time elapsed to delivery was identical regardless of the patient's bacterial vaginosis status (elapsed time: 35.9 versus 37.1 days, rate of spontaneous preterm birth 42.9 versus 43.2%, not significant).


CONCLUSIONS
Bacterial vaginosis is associated with preterm labor. Nonetheless, it does not appear to predict preterm birth among these patients.
Subtil
Damien
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire, Lille, France. d-subtil@chru-lille.fr
Denoit
Valérie
V
Le Gouëff
Françoise
F
Husson
Marie-Odile
MO
Trivier
Dominique
D
Puech
Francis
F
D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000382:microbiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000382:microbiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008795:Metronidazole