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Review paper

Correlation between cervical infection and preterm labor

By
Larisa Mešić Ðogić ,
Larisa Mešić Ðogić
Contact Larisa Mešić Ðogić

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, General Hospital, Tešanj, Tešanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nenad Lučić ,
Nenad Lučić

Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Hospital Centre, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dragana Mićić ,
Dragana Mićić

Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Hospital Centre ‘’Dragiša Mišović’’, Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia

Feđa Omeragić ,
Feđa Omeragić

School of Medicine, University of Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice “Omeragić”, Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Enes Hodžić ,
Enes Hodžić

Department of Surgery, General Hospital Tešanj, Tešanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Seid Fazlagić ,
Seid Fazlagić

Department of Surgery, General Hospital Tešanj, Tešanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Refka Kovač ,
Refka Kovač

Department of Pediatrics, General Hospital Tešanj, Tešanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nevenka Pavlović
Nevenka Pavlović

Institute of Public Health of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

Aim
To investigate a correlation between cervical canal infection and imminent preterm labor and to identify most frequent pathogens.
Methods
A prospective study was conducted in obstetrics/gynecology departments of Health Center and the University Clinical
Center Tuzla, and General Hospital Tešanj (Bosnia and Herzegovina, B&H) between October 2013 and May 2014. An examined group included 50 healthy pregnant women with singleton pregnancy of the gestation age between the 28th and 37th week, with cervical changes that are related to imminent preterm labor. Changes were detected by ultrasound biometry of cervix and modified Bishop score. A control group included 30 healthy pregnant women with singleton pregnancy of the gestation age between the 28th and 37th week of pregnancy without signs of imminent preterm labor. Cervical mucus was microbiologically analyzed for identification of pathogens.
Results
The infection in cervical canal was proven in 35 (70%) examinees and four (13%) patients from the control group (p=0.015). In seven (20%) cases each Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma were detected followed by E. coli in five (14%) cases (p=0.001).
Conclusion
Cervical canal infection is associated with changes on cervix and premature rupture of fetal membranes, i.e. preterm
labor and imminent preterm labor. Screening for infection before pregnancy should be the main task of family doctors as well as gynecologists.

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