Mini Chenicheri
BACKGROUND
Abnormal vaginal flora is an important cause of preterm labour with subsequent delivery of a preterm newborn, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Bacterial vaginosis is a condition where there is a decrease in concentration of Lactobacillus and an increase in pathogenic bacteria.
The aim of the study is to study the-
1. Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in preterm labour in comparison with term pregnant women in labour.
2. Adverse obstetric outcome associated with bacterial vaginosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Microbiology, Government Medical College, Kozhikode. It is a prospective, cross-sectional descriptive study from August 2012 to January 2013. Subjects included 100 women in spontaneous preterm labour. 100 term women in labour were the controls. All patients had vaginal discharge collected from the posterior vaginal fornix with cotton swabs. Clinical composite criteria by Amsel’s and Nugent’s scoring was used to diagnose bacterial vaginosis. The saline wet mount of the discharge was examined microscopically for ‘clue’ cells, 10% KOH added to get an amine odour. Vaginal smear was Gram stained and evaluated by Nugent’s criteria. Obstetric outcome noted in both groups.
RESULTS
Prevalence was more (38%) in the preterm group. Bacterial vaginosis detected by Amsel’s criteria was 30% in preterm and 7% in term group. Sensitivity of Amsel’s criteria was 48.7%, specificity was 88.8% with a positive predictive value of 51.4% and negative predictive value of 87.7%. With Nugent’s criteria, number of patients with score >7 was significantly higher (19%) in preterm than term (4%) patients.
CONCLUSION
Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was higher in the preterm group. Clinical method using Amsel’s criteria together with Gram stain is a simple, inexpensive, easily reproducible method for diagnosis. Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy has a significant risk of preterm labour and associated neonatal morbidity.
