ASSOCIATION OF UROGENITAL INFECTIONS WITH PRETERM DELIVERIES

Introduction: Urogenital infections are usually seen during pregnancy and considered as an important cause of preterm labour. Preterm labour is the one of the foremost reason of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VC), and trichomoniasis are responsible for near about 90% of cases of infectious conditions which can lead to eventually gynecological and obstetrical complications such as preterm labour, pelvic inflammatory disease, post-abortion endometritis and chorioamnionitis. Most common infection among women in preterm labour is BV. This study was conducted to find the association between urogenital infections and preterm labour and also to find out prevalence of urogenital infections in preterm and full term labour. Method: It was an observational study done in the Department of obstetrics and gynecology IGMC Shimla H.P. from 1st August 2017 to 31st July 2018. A total of 200 women were observed for urogenital infections and their association with preterm labour. Case Group I included 100 women with preterm labour after 24 weeks and before 37 completed weeks of gestation with or without rupture of membranes. Control Group II included 100 women at completed or more than 37 weeks of gestation with no history of preterm labour, matched to the case group with respect to age and parity. Midstream urine was sent for microscopic examination and culture sensitivity. Samples were taken for microbiological study from posterior fornix of vagina. These were studied for microscopic examinations along with Culture sensitivity by standard methods and saline wet mount for BV, VC, Tricomoniasis. Results: In present study, overall 18% urogenital infection was observed. Statistical analysis reveals that there was association in high vaginal swab, urine culture and both culture positivities. Conclusion: We concluded that in our study, urogenital infection was more common in women with preterm labour compared to those in full term labour patients group which indicates a significant association of urogenital infections in preterm labour. Keywords: Urogenital Infections, Bacterial Vaginosis, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, Premature Labour