Modified classification of Gram-stained vaginal smears to predict spontaneous preterm birth: a prospective cohort study

Hans Verstraelen, Rita Verhelst, Kristien Roelens, Geert Claeys, Steven Weyers, Ellen De Backer, Mario Vaneechoutte, Marleen Temmerman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify women at risk of spontaneous preterm birth through a 4-category Gram-stained vaginal smear method, not restricted to bacterial vaginosis. Study Design: This was a prospective cohort study correlating Gram-stained vaginal smears in early pregnancy with spontaneous preterm birth. Smears were categorized as 'normal,' 'bacterial vaginosis-like,' 'grade I-like' (atypical gram-positive rods) or 'purulent grade I' (lactobacilli-dominated smears showing heavy leukorrhea of unknown cause). Results: Normal microflora were associated with a 4-fold decreased risk (95%CI 0.1-0.6, P < .001) of spontaneous preterm birth and an abnormal Gram stain with an overall adjusted odds ratio of 5.2 (95%CI 1.8-14.5, P < .001). The sensitivity of vaginal smear diagnosis for preterm birth increased from 25% with conventional scoring up to 70% with these modified criteria. Conclusion: Accounting for atypical gram-positive bacteria and neutrophils on Gram-stained vaginal smears may identify a larger proportion of women at risk of preterm birth compared to diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis alone.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)528.e1-528.e6
JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume196
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Gram stain
  • bacterial vaginosis
  • pregnancy
  • preterm birth
  • vaginal neutrophils

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