TY - JOUR
T1 - Bacterial vaginosis and preterm birth
T2 - A comprehensive review of the literature
AU - Paige, David M.
AU - Augustyn, Marycatherine
AU - Adih, William K.
AU - Witter, Frank
AU - Chang, Jae
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by grant number 5 MCJ-249320-04-0 from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Title V Social Security Act), Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.
PY - 1998
Y1 - 1998
N2 - Preterm low birth weight is the major determinant of infant morbidity and mortality. Numerous studies have linked bacterial vaginosis (BV) with preterm birth and low birth weight (LEW), especially among black women. This article reviews the published literature to provide clear evidence that BV is an independent risk factor for preterm birth and LEW. Pregnant black women are especially at risk, having nearly three times the level of BV as pregnant white women. Compounding the problem is the fact that half the population of women with BV are asymptomatic, and current standard antenatal procedures do not provide for screening for BV. By reviewing BV treatment literature, this article also provides evidence that treatment for BV is effective and that the identification and treatment of BV in pregnant women can lead to substantial reduction in the high rates of preterm birth and LEW.
AB - Preterm low birth weight is the major determinant of infant morbidity and mortality. Numerous studies have linked bacterial vaginosis (BV) with preterm birth and low birth weight (LEW), especially among black women. This article reviews the published literature to provide clear evidence that BV is an independent risk factor for preterm birth and LEW. Pregnant black women are especially at risk, having nearly three times the level of BV as pregnant white women. Compounding the problem is the fact that half the population of women with BV are asymptomatic, and current standard antenatal procedures do not provide for screening for BV. By reviewing BV treatment literature, this article also provides evidence that treatment for BV is effective and that the identification and treatment of BV in pregnant women can lead to substantial reduction in the high rates of preterm birth and LEW.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0091-2182(97)00161-4
DO - 10.1016/S0091-2182(97)00161-4
M3 - Article
C2 - 9581092
AN - SCOPUS:0032020323
VL - 43
SP - 83
EP - 89
JO - Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health
JF - Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health
SN - 1526-9523
IS - 2
ER -