Depletion of Vaginal Lactobacilli and Risk of Preterm Birth in Pregnant Women Delivered at Prapokklao Hospital
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Abstract
Objectives: To study the effect of depleted vaginal lactobacilli and risk of preterm birth in pregnant women at Prapokklao Hospital.
Materials and Methods: Ambispective case-control study has been conducted on pregnant women, who delivered at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prapokklao Hospital between January 2020 and May 2021. The data from preterm group (study case) were compiled retrospectively. The term group (study control) was a prospective study. The smear of vaginal secretions was collected, Gram stained examined by microscopic examination for morphotypes and number of lactobacilli and assigned according to Hay’s criteria (grade I: normal, grade II, III: abnormal)
Results: A total of 455 pregnant women aged between 14 and 46 years were included: 112 (25%) with preterm pregnancy and 343 (75%) with term pregnancy. The proportions of pregnant women in the preterm groups who having depleted vaginal Lactobacilli was greater than term groups (p < 0.001). After adjusted for age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, incomplete antenatal care and grades of Lactobacilli (p < 0.05) demonstrated grades II, grade III Lactobacilli were all significantly associated with the incidence of preterm birth. (grades II Lactobacilli odds ratio (OR) 3.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.06-6.5) (grade III Lactobacilli OR 17.8, 95%CI 7.4-43.1).
Conclusion: Pregnant women with preterm birth had a higher proportion of having depletion of vaginal Lactobacilli than control.
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