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https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-3890| Publication type: | Article in scientific journal |
| Type of review: | Peer review (publication) |
| Title: | Association between increased antenatal vaginal pH and preterm birth rate : a systematic review |
| Authors: | Weckend, Marina J. Spineli, Loukia M. Grylka, Susanne Gross, Mechthild Maria |
| DOI: | 10.21256/zhaw-3890 10.1515/jpm-2018-0097 |
| Published in: | Journal of Perinatal Medicine |
| Issue Date: | Jul-2018 |
| Publisher / Ed. Institution: | De Gruyter |
| ISSN: | 1619-3997 0300-5577 |
| Language: | English |
| Subjects: | Abnormal flora; Infection; Pregnancy; Preterm birth; Systematic review; Vaginal pH |
| Subject (DDC): | 618: Gynecology, obstetrics and midwifery |
| Abstract: | Background: Worldwide, 14.9 million infants (11%) are born preterm each year. Up to 40% of preterm births (PTBs) are associated with genital tract infections. The vaginal pH can reflect changes in the vaginal milieu and, if elevated, indicates an abnormal flora or infection. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate whether an increased antenatal vaginal pH >4.5 in pre-labour pregnant women is associated with an increased PTB rate <37 completed weeks gestation. Search strategy Key databases included SCOPUS, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycInfo and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, complemented by hand search, up to January 2017. Selection criteria Primary research reporting vaginal pH assessment in pre-labour pregnant women and PTB rate. Data collection and analysis: Data extraction and appraisal were carried out in a pre-defined standardised manner, applying the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) and Cochrane risk of bias tool. Analysis included calculation of risk difference (RD) and narrative synthesis. It was decided to abstain from pooling of the studies due to missing information in important moderators. Main results: Of 986 identified records, 30 were included in the systematic review. The risk of bias was considered mostly high (40%) or moderate (37%). Fifteen studies permitted a calculation of RD. Of these, 14 (93%) indicated a positive association between increased antenatal vaginal pH and PTB (RD range: 0.02-0.75). Conclusions: An increased antenatal vaginal pH >4.5 may be associated with a higher risk for PTB. It is recommended to conduct a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the effectiveness of antenatal pH screening to prevent PTB. Tweetable abstract Pregnant women with an increased vaginal pH >4.5 may be at higher risk to experience preterm birth. |
| Further description: | Erworben im Rahmen der Schweizer Nationallizenzen (http://www.nationallizenzen.ch) |
| URI: | https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/8294 |
| Fulltext version: | Published version |
| License (according to publishing contract): | Licence according to publishing contract |
| Restricted until: | 2019-11-07 |
| Departement: | School of Health Sciences |
| Organisational Unit: | Institute of Midwifery and Reproductive Health (IHG) |
| Appears in collections: | Publikationen Gesundheit |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weckend_et_al_ 2018.pdf | 953.49 kB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |
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Weckend, M. J., Spineli, L. M., Grylka, S., & Gross, M. M. (2018). Association between increased antenatal vaginal pH and preterm birth rate : a systematic review. Journal of Perinatal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-3890
Weckend, M.J. et al. (2018) ‘Association between increased antenatal vaginal pH and preterm birth rate : a systematic review’, Journal of Perinatal Medicine [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-3890.
M. J. Weckend, L. M. Spineli, S. Grylka, and M. M. Gross, “Association between increased antenatal vaginal pH and preterm birth rate : a systematic review,” Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Jul. 2018, doi: 10.21256/zhaw-3890.
WECKEND, Marina J., Loukia M. SPINELI, Susanne GRYLKA und Mechthild Maria GROSS, 2018. Association between increased antenatal vaginal pH and preterm birth rate : a systematic review. Journal of Perinatal Medicine. Juli 2018. DOI 10.21256/zhaw-3890
Weckend, Marina J., Loukia M. Spineli, Susanne Grylka, and Mechthild Maria Gross. 2018. “Association between Increased Antenatal Vaginal pH and Preterm Birth Rate : A Systematic Review.” Journal of Perinatal Medicine, July. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-3890.
Weckend, Marina J., et al. “Association between Increased Antenatal Vaginal pH and Preterm Birth Rate : A Systematic Review.” Journal of Perinatal Medicine, July 2018, https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-3890.
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