Impact of preconception vaginal microbiota on women's risk of spontaneous preterm birth: protocol for a prospective case-cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vaginal microbiota disruption during pregnancy are associated with increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB), but clinical trials of BV treatment during pregnancy have shown little or no benefit. An alternative hypothesis is that vaginal bacteria present around conception may lead to SPTB by compromising the protective effects of cervical mucus, colonising the endometrial surface before fetal membrane development, and causing low-level inflammation in the decidua, placenta and fetal membranes. This protocol describes a prospective case-cohort study addressing this hypothesis.

Methods and analysis

HIV-seronegative Kenyan women with fertility intent are followed from preconception through pregnancy, delivery and early postpart

SUBMITTER: Lokken EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7045118 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature