Impact of maternal sexual habits and hygiene behaviours on group B Streptococci neonatal colonization
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2011-11-16 |
Background and aims: Early onset neonatal sepsis due to vertical transmission of Group B streptococci (GBS) is responsible for severe morbidity and mortality of newborns. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of neonatal GBS colonization and to evaluate the impact of maternal sexual habits and hygiene behaviours on neonatal GBS colonization. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at the Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Neonatology Kaunas University Hospital. Data of 808 women and 827 newborns were analyzed. A lower vaginal and rectal swab were obtained from every woman at 35-37 weeks of gestation or on admission for PROM or at delivery. Cultures of neonates were sampled from the ear canal and throat within 5-15 min of their lives. Study participants were asked to complete a questionnaire describing their sexual habits and hygiene behaviours. Results: Overall 148 (15.3%) women were carriers of GBS. Neonatal GBS colonization rate was 6.4%. Overall vertical transmission rate of GBS was 28.4%. Univariate analysis revealed that neonatal GBS colonization was associated with oral sex male-to-female (60.0 vs 36.3%, p < 0.001), female-to-male (56.0 vs 38.2% p< 0.05), male not douching before sex (8.0 vs 0.9%, p< 0.001). The other maternal sexual habits like condom use, anal sex, number of sexual partners, time of first sexual experience, hand washing frequency were not significantly associated with neonatal GBS colonization. Conclusion: We consider that changing of sexual habits and improvement of hygiene behaviours could help to reduce the neonatal GBS colonization.