VAGINAL COLONIZATION BY ESCHERICHIA-COLI AS A RISK FACTOR FOR VERY-LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT DELIVERY AND OTHER PERINATAL COMPLICATIONS

This study evaluated the relationship of vaginal Escherichia coli colo nization 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. Vagina l 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 pre maturity 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 pre gnant women for genital tract colonization with E. coli during prenata l care.