The association of bacterial vaginosis and preterm labor.

INTRODUCTION To determine the relationship between bacterial vaginosis and preterm labour. METHOD In this study 160 labouring women admitted in Bahonar Hospital were studied for the presence of bacterial vaginosis based on the presence of clue cells. Control group consisted of 80 women with the gestational age of more than 38 weeks and the case group consisted of 80 women with the gestational age of 20-37 weeks. The two groups were compared in regard to the presence of bacterial vaginosis. RESULTS In the study group 25% of subjects with preterm labour had bacterial vaginosis, while in the control group only 11.3% had symptoms of bacterial vaginosis that shows a significant difference (P = 0.039). CONCLUSION Bacterial vaginosis can induce preterm labor. Therefore the screening of high-risk women for bacterial vaginosis is highly recommended.