Bacterial Vaginosis: One of the Causes of Preterm Labor

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of bacterial vaginosis in preterm labor Preterm labor has increasing evidence of infectious causes especially ascending infections from lower genital tract. Preterm delivery is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Laboratory evaluation and clinical assessment were performed for 100 female patients. Bacteriological diagnosis were done using direct Gram staining for clue cells, bacterial culture and amsel's criteria, scoring was done by Nugent score system. We carried our study on 100 pregnant women, divided into two groups. First group delivered preterm and other group at full term. 33 patients out of 50 pts with preterm group had BV (66%) while 24 patients out of 50 patients had BV (48%) in full term group, so the incidence of BV was significantly more in preterm group. The commonest isolated pathogen was G. vaginalis, followed by beta hemolytic streptococci and staph aureus. It was concluded that bacterial vaginosis is considered as one of the most common vaginal infection in pregnancy and it have role in preterm labor.