Association between bacterial vaginosis and preterm labor and high risk cases for preterm labor

Background: Preterm delivery is a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality and its prevention assumed special importance in the practice of obstetrics. It is well known that the risk of neonatal death increases exponentially with decreasing gestational age and weight. Aim of present study was to study the incidence of bacterial Vaginosis in established preterm labor and also in Pregnant Women with previous History of Preterm Labor in our Population as several recent studies have documented association between bacterial vaginosis and Preterm labor. Materials and methods: The present study was undertaken for a period of two years from 2015-2017 at Government Hospital, Siddipet. 50 Cases with high risk for preterm labor were included in the study and 50 cases with term labor in control group. Results: Majority of the women in both groups were between 20-24 years. Majority of the cases had no previous abortion in both the groups. Mean gestational age who has gone into preterm labor was 31-33 weeks. The incidence of BV was higher among the study group (36%) compared to control group and was statistically significant (p<0.05). BV has significantly associated with 3.45 fold risk for preterm labor (odd's ratio – 3.45) C.I. 1.28-9.8 statistically significant when compared to controls. Conclusion: In this study, a significant difference in the presence of BV in patients of preterm labor and term labor was found (P<0.05). This observation could indicate a definite association of BV with preterm labor. The relative risk of the presence of the BV in preterm labor was found to be 3.45 (95% CI -1.28 -9.18). Also BV was associated with 2.5 fold increased risk for preterm labor at earlier gestational age.