Parity and gestational age are associated with vaginal microbiota composition in term and late term pregnancies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vaginal microbiota and its potential contribution to preterm birth is under intense research. However, only few studies have investigated the vaginal microbiota in later stages of pregnancy or at the onset of labour.

Methods

We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to analyse cross-sectional vaginal swab samples from 324 Finnish women between 37-42 weeks of gestation, sampled before elective caesarean section, at the onset of spontaneous labour, and in pregnancies lasting ≥41 weeks of gestation. Microbiota data were combined with comprehensive clinical data to identify factors associated with microbiota variation.

Findings

Vaginal microbiota composition associated strongly with advancing gestational age and parity, i.e. presence of previous deliveries. Abs

SUBMITTER: Kervinen K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9250009 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature