Association between colonization with group B streptococci during pregnancy and preterm delivery among Danish women

Daniel R. Feikin, Poul Thorsen, Sara Zywicki, Magnus Arpi, Jes G. Westergaard, Anne Schuchat

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We studied the relationship between group B streptococcal colonization and preterm delivery. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective study at a single hospital in Odense, Denmark, cervicovaginal cultures were obtained at ≤24 weeks' gestation from all the women, at delivery from women with preterm deliveries, and from a random sample of women delivering at term. RESULTS: In 2846 singleton births, there was no significant association between group B streptococcal colonization at ≤24 weeks' gestation and preterm birth. After adjustment for the risk factors for preterm delivery, more women with preterm delivery (12/84, 14%) were colonized at delivery with group B streptococci than women with term deliveries (22/300, 7%; adjusted odds ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-6.8). Group B streptococcal colonization at ≤24 weeks' gestation and at delivery was significantly less likely to occur in the presence of normal vaginal flora. CONCLUSION: Group B streptococcal colonization at delivery, but not at ≤24 weeks' gestation, was associated with preterm delivery.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)427-433
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican journal of obstetrics and gynecology
Volume184
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Group B streptococci
  • Preterm delivery
  • Vaginal colonization during pregnancy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Association between colonization with group B streptococci during pregnancy and preterm delivery among Danish women'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this