SPONTANEOUS-RECOVERY OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS DURING PREGNANCY IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH AN IMPROVED PERINATAL OUTCOME

Background. Bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women is an established ri sk factor for premature labor, rupture of membranes, and preterm deliv ery, but information on its natural history during pregnancy is limite d. Method and material. In this study, 635 pregnant women at less than 35 weeks' gestation were screened for bacterial vaginosis. Results. T he prevalence of bacterial vaginosis, as assessed by Gram slain examin ation of vaginal smears, was 19.7% (125/635). Ninety-two women were re tested 4 to 8 weeks later, and bacterial vaginosis persisted in 51.1% (47/92). The incidence of preterm delivery was significantly increased in women with bacterial vaginosis at enrolment (RR 3.1, 95% CI: 1.8-5 .4). However, the risk of prematurity was similar in women with or wit hout a persistence of bacterial vaginosis. Conclusion. These results s uggest that the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis at any point during p regnancy is associated with an increased risk of perinatal complicatio ns in spite of spontaneous recovery in subsequent examinations.