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Association between maternal cervicovaginal swab positivity for Ureaplasma spp. or other microorganisms and neonatal respiratory outcome and mortality

Journal of Perinatology volume 41, pages 1–11 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective

We investigated the association between maternal cervicovaginal cultures, its antibiotic treatment, and neonatal outcome.

Study design

This retrospective cohort study enrolled 480 neonates born prior to 32 weeks’ gestation. They were divided into groups according to maternal cervicovaginal culture results. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to predict neonatal outcome based on maternal culture results, adjusted for perinatal risk factors and neonatal morbidities.

Result

Maternal cervicovaginal Ureaplasma colonization was independently associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks (BPD) (OR 8.34; 95% CI 1.21–57.45). In neonates with and without maternal cervicovaginal Ureaplasma colonization BPD occurred in 12.3% and 3.8%, respectively. Maternal colonization with other microorganisms was associated with a higher neonatal mortality (p = 0.002), lower gestational age (p = 0.026), and birth weight (p = 0.036).

Conclusions

This study underscores the role of the maternal cervicovaginal microbiome as a predictor of neonatal outcome. Cervicovaginal Ureaplasma colonization seems not to be an innocent bystander in the multifactorial etiology of BPD.

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Fig. 1: Flow chart of the study population.
Fig. 2: Other isolated microorganisms.

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Author notes

  1. Karen Van Mechelen

    Present address: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Division Neonatology, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    Karen Van Mechelen, Marisse Meeus & Ludo Mahieu

  2. Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    Veerle Matheeussen

  3. Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    Veerle Matheeussen

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    Gilbert Donders & Yves Jacquemyn

  5. Global Health Institute GHI and ASTARC, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    Gilbert Donders

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Van Mechelen, K., Meeus, M., Matheeussen, V. et al. Association between maternal cervicovaginal swab positivity for Ureaplasma spp. or other microorganisms and neonatal respiratory outcome and mortality. J Perinatol 41, 1–11 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-020-00808-7

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