Chlamydia trachomatis infection among pregnant women: Prevalence and prenatal importance

Background. Chlamydia trachomatis infection in pregnant women is suspected to result in low birth-weight and premature infants. We conducted studies t o ascertain the prevalence of this infection among pregnant women in our se tting and whether its presence is a risk factor for low birth-weight or pre maturity, Methods. In the first study, 94 pregnant women between 26 and 30 weeks of g estation were screened for infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, The second investigated a cohort of 172 pregnant women presenting in spontaneous labo ur. The infection status was related to perinatal outcome in terms of birth -weight and gestation. In both the studies, Chlamydia trachomatis infection was diagnosed using the Chlamydiazyme test performed on endocervical swabs , Results The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomactis infection in mid-pregnancy and at labour was 17% (16/94) and 18.60/6 (32/172), respectively. Women wi th infection were relatively older than those without it [mean (SD) age: 26 .6 (4.5) years v, 24.8 (3.6) years, p=0.01], The mean (SD) birth-weight [28 69 (611)gv. 2814(496)g], gestation [38.5 (2.6) weeks v. 38.3 (2.0) weeks], and incidence of low birth-weight [18.7% v. 20.7%] as well as prematurity [ 9.4% v, 10.7%] were similar among neonates born to women with or without in fection. Neonates born to infected mothers experienced purulent conjunctivi tis more frequently than those born to non-infected mothers [12.5% v, 2.8%, p=0.04]. Conclusion. Chlamydia trachomatis is a relatively common infection in pregn ant women. However, it was not associated with either low birth-weight or p rematurity.