Cervical Chlamydia trachomatis and mycoplasmal infections in pregnancy. Epidemiology and outcomes

In a prospective study of chlamydial and mycoplasmal infections in pregnancy,Chlamydia trachomatisoccurred in 8.0%,Mycoplasma hominisin 23.5%, andUreaplasma urealyticumin 72.3% of 1,365 enrollees. By multivariate analysis,C trachomatiswas correlated with lower socioeconomic status, age 23 years or younger, and 12 years or less of schooling.Ureaplasma urealyticumwas correlated with age 23 years or younger and lower socioeconomic status.Mycoplasma hominiswas correlated with more than one recent sexual partner, first intercourse at age 17 years or younger, and higher socioeconomic status. These cervical infections did not predict low birth weight, abortion, stillbirth, prematurity, or premature rupture of membranes. OnlyM hominispredicted endometritis/fever after vaginal delivery (relative risk, 7.3). IgM-seropositiveC trachomatis—infected women had more low-birth-weight infants and more premature rupture of membranes than either IgM-negativeC trachomatis—infected women orC trachomatisculture-negative women. Thus, only certain subgroups of infected women may experience adverse pregnancy outcomes. (JAMA1983;250:1721-1727)