Bacterial vaginosis diagnosed at the first antenatal visit better predicts preterm labour than diagnosis later in pregnancy

J Obstet Gynaecol. 2005 Nov;25(8):751-3. doi: 10.1080/01443610500314660.

Abstract

This study was conducted as part of a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial, the aim of which was to determine whether vitamin C could reduce the recurrence risk of pre-term labour. In this study, women with a history of pre-term labour in a preceding pregnancy were randomised to receive either 250 mg vitamin C or a matching placebo twice daily until 34 weeks' gestation. They attended a dedicated pre-term labour clinic every 2 weeks. All women were screened for bacterial vaginosis (BV) at each visit. It was first determined that vitamin C did not have any effect on the presence of BV. Women who were diagnosed with BV before 20 weeks' gestation were at higher risk of delivering pre-term than those who developed BV after 20 weeks.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ascorbic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / etiology*
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / prevention & control*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / prevention & control
  • Prenatal Diagnosis*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / prevention & control

Substances

  • Ascorbic Acid