Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2012 Mar;55(3):158-165. 10.5468/KJOG.2012.55.3.158.

Association of genital Mycoplasmas infection in women who had preterm delivery and outcomes in premature infants

• Chung HK
• Park SY
• Park MH
• Kim YJ
• Chun SH
• Cho SJ
• Park EA

• KMID: 2274120
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/KJOG.2012.55.3.158

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We conducted this study to evaluate the relationship between genital Mycoplasmas infection in women who had preterm delivery and the neontal outcomes.
METHODS
We studied 116 women with preterm delivery (gestational age, ranged from 24 to 37 weeks) and their 116 premature infants born at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital from August 2009 to December 2010. Culture for genital Mycoplasmas or a polymerase chain reaction was performed in vaginal fluid obtained from women who had preterm delivery. For perinatal outcomes, chorioamnionitis, funisitis and puerperal infection were analysed. We also evaluated the following neonatal data; birth weight, sex, small for gestational age, Apgar score, cord blood pH, ventilator care, hospital days, incidence of respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage and patent ductus arteriosus.
RESULTS
Genital Mycoplasmas were isolated in 36.2% (42 of 116 patients). History of prior preterm birth was significantly higher and the cervical length at admission was significantly shorter in patients with genital Mycoplasmas infection (P < 0.05). Perinatal outcomes according to the Mycoplasmas infection and the neonatal outcomes were not statistically different between study and control groups. The relative risk of respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia were 1.55 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65-3.70), and 1.24 (95% CI, 0.42-3.67), respectively.
CONCLUSION
There is higher incidence of prior preterm birth and shorter cervical length in patient with genital Mycoplasmas infection. However, genital Mycoplasmas infection does not affect the neonatal outcomes.

Keyword

Genital Mycoplasmas; Mycoplasma hominis; Ureaplasma urealyticum; Preterm birth; Premature infants

MeSH Terms

Apgar Score
Birth Weight
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Chorioamnionitis
Female
Fetal Blood
Gestational Age
Hemorrhage
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Incidence
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Mycoplasma
Mycoplasma hominis
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Pregnancy
Premature Birth
Puerperal Infection
Sepsis
Ureaplasma urealyticum
Ventilators, Mechanical

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