Vaginal pH and neutrophils are related to spontaneous preterm labors

Abstract EN

Objective : to find a link between 2 markers of vaginal infection (pH and neutrophils) and preterm delivery.

Study design : The study included 500 woman falling in labor at 35-37 weeks, 300 at 32-3 5 weeks, 200 below 32 weeks 200 women at 38 weeks.

Neutrophils in vaginal secretions and pH of that secretion were determined in every case.

Results : Delivery of <37, <35 or <32 weeks of gestation was similar for women with a vaginal pH of less than 4.4 or 4.7 but was increase in women with pH 5 or greater: The effect of pH 5 or greater was similar for women who has spontaneous preterm birth at each gestational age or birth of less than 2500 or 1500 gm weight babies.

Vaginal neutrophils more than five per oil field associated with preterm delivery.

Conclusion : vaginal pH of 5 or greater and more than five neutrophuls per oil field are associated with preterm birth.