Association of genital mycoplasma colonization with low birth weight

Objective: This study was conducted to document the prevalence of maternal genital tract colonization by Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis, and to assess its association with low birth weight (LBW) and prematurity. Methods: The high vaginal swabs of pregnant women in spontaneous labor after 26 weeks of gestation were cultured for U. urealyticum and M. hominis. Clinical details and perinatal outcomes including birth weight and gestation were documented. Results: Of a total of 303 women enrolled, 148 (48.8%) had positive vaginal cultures for U. urealyticum, while only five (1.6%) grew M. hominis. The mean birth weight and the incidences of LBW and preterm neonates among ureaplasma positive and ureaplasma negative mothers were statistically comparable. Conclusions:U. urealyticum emerged as a common inhabitant of the lower genital tract of women in labor, being present in nearly half of them. Its presence was not a risk factor of LBW or prematurity. Maternal colonization with M. hominis was uncommon.