Preterm Labour and its Relation To Bacterial Vaginosis and Fetal Fibronectin 20 Preterm Labour and its Relation To Bacterial Vaginosis and Fetal Fibronectin

Preterm delivery (PTD) is the leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological association between PTD and various bacteria that are part of the vaginal microflora has been reported. Bacterial vaginosis is believed to be a risk factor for preterm delivery. The aim of the present study is to investigate the association between bacterial vaginosis, cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin level and the preterm delivery of infant with low birth weight. In this study a total of 288 pregnant women were enrolled during the period between May 2008 and June 2009 at Alkoms Hospital, Libya. The present study revealed that the presence of bacterial vaginosis was related to preterm delivery of a low birth weight infants. The highest risk of preterm delivery of low birth weight infants was found among those with vaginal Gardnerella vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis and Bacteroides spp. (6.3%), as well as women with vaginal Mycoplasma hominis, Bacteroides spp and Escherichia coli (5.9%). However Lactobacillus spp. had no effect on poor pregnancy outcome and play no role with preterm delivery of infants with low birth weight. There was also a strong relation between cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin and isolation of Mycoplasma hominis, Bacteroides spp. and Escherichia coli. In conclusion, that the effect of the abnormal vaginal flora was an independent predictor of preterm delivery. Cervicovaginal measurement of fetal fibronectin in combination with detection of bacterial vaginosis may be useful for evaluation of pregnant women with threatened premature delivery of low birth weight infants. 1 Microbiology Department Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Mergib University, Alkomas, Libya. 2 Microbiology Department Faculty of Science, Al-Mergib University, Alkomas, Libya. 3 Faculty of Marine Resources, Al-mergib University, Zliten, Libya. Majalat Al-Ulum Al-Insaniya wat Tatbiqiya