A randomized placebo-controlled trial of erythromycin for the treatment of Ureaplasma urealyticum to prevent premature delivery

Genital infections during pregnancy have been associated with prematurity and low birth weight. However, the association between infections with organisms such as Ureaplasma urealyticum and poor pregnancy outcome has not been consistent. In some studies, antibiotic treatment of women infected with U. urealyticum or other bacteria resulted in fewer premature infants, while other studies suggested that prematurity and U. urealyticum infection are not associated. As part of a large study, the effects of the antibiotic erythromycin or placebo on the pregnancy outcomes of 1,181 women were evaluated. This study differed from others in that women with infections in addition to U. urealyticum were excluded. The subjects received treatment beginning between 26 and 30 weeks gestation to term, three times daily. Erythromycin treatment did not eliminate the organism from subjects' lower genital tracts, and no effect on pregnancy outcome was found. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)