Prevalence of antenatal vulvovaginal candidiasis: our experience

Abstract

Background: The objective of our study is to determine the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis and influence of maternal age, parity or trimester on its occurrence among pregnant women, attending the antenatal clinic in our teaching hospital. It helps us to understand the magnitude of the problem in our region and to implement the necessary treatment modalities to reduce the preterm births attributed to vaginal candidiasis.Methods: It was a hospital based prospective study over a period of six months. High vaginal swabs were collected from the pregnant patients after getting consent and sent for culture. Candida positive cases were noted and results were analysed.Results: A total of 200 high vaginal swabs were collected and reported in our study. Among them 108 swabs were positive for Candida growth (54%) and 92 swabs were negative for growth (46%). Culture positive patients clinical details were analyzed and statistical significance was noted (based on age group, parity and trimester).Conclusions: Our study concluded that candidiasis is more prevalent in pregnant women but there was no statistical significance in occurrence of vaginal candidiasis among various age groups, parity or trimester. Hence it is better to screen all the patients in I/ early II trimester in order to find out and treat positive cases early to prevent preterm births attributed to vaginal candidiasis.

Assessment of Risk Factors for Developing Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Among Women at Various Age Groups

“…Increases in estrogen in pregnancy lead the vagina to generate more glycogen, which has a direct impact on yeast cells by increasing their multiplication and causing them to adhere to the vaginal walls 16 . As the high estrogen levels increase the glycogen content in vaginal secretion, the incidence of VVC increases without any negative consequences during the pregnancy 31. Vulvo vaginal candidiasis is an important cause of morbidity inpregnancy which can result in miscarriages, candida chorioamnionitis, subsequent preterm delivery and emotional stress 30 . The hormonal balance in the vaginal microbiota is changed as a result of previous medical history, including the use of contraception tablets or any other method of contraception.…”