Association between premature birth and bacterial vaginosis: a review of the literature

Abstract

The present study is a bibliographical review, with the objective of discussing the relation between premature birth and bacterial vaginosis and the association of the screening for and treatment of bacterial vaginosis during prenatal care, with the reduction of premature birth rates. A bibliographical research was made in the databasis Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, Cochrane, Copernic Agent Basic, from 1995 to 2005. The results of some studies show that bacterial vaginosis is associated with premature birth, however other studies indicate that effective treatment for bacterial vaginosis is still controversial and consequently has a limited role in reducing premature birth rates. Given that most authors show evidence that bacterial vaginosis is related to premature birth, the screening and treatment of this vaginal infection is indicated, since it could decrease bit ibkt premature birth rate, but also neonatal morbi-mortality, peripartum infections and postpartum complications.