Self-Testing of Vaginal pH to Prevent Preterm Delivery

Abstract

This trial did not demonstrate the efficacy of self-testing of vaginal pH for the prevention of preterm delivery (< 37 weeks of gestation).

The Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Premature Labor

“…A local interventional study (the Thuringia Preterm birth Prevention Project, Thüringer Frühgeburtenvermeidungs -aktion) has yielded promising results. In a subsequent nation-wide pilot project sponsored by German statutory health-insurance carriers, a significantly reduced frequency of birth weight under 1500 g was demonstrated (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66-0.95), but due to considerable methodological deficiencies, these results cannot be generalized (11).…”

“…The commonest causes of preterm birth -Ascending infection -Hypoxic-ischemic damage to the uteroplacental unit -Chronic stress -Fetal and uterine developmental malformations The frequency of preterm birth before the end of the 37 th week of gestation (GW 37) in Europe, modified from the European Perinatal Health Report 2008 (3) factor of 2.4 (95% CI 1.63-3.54) (11). If the pH is found to be elevated, antibiotics are given.…”

Effect of probiotics on vaginal health in pregnancy. EFFPRO, a randomized controlled trial

“…8,9 Assuming that the course of events that ultimately results in PD starts well before the manifestation of BV can be diagnosed, early screening for changes in vaginal pH has been suggested but showed no consistent effect on PD rates. 10 So far, studies that have aimed to show efficacy of probiotics in the prevention of PD have been underpowered. 11 Oral intake of Lactobacilli-composed probiotics has been shown to reduce pathogenic bacteria in the vaginal microbiota of women who were not pregnant.…”

Strategies in the Prevention of Preterm Births During and Before Pregnancy

“…The evaluation did not demonstrate the efficacy of self-testing of vaginal pH for the prevention of preterm delivery. On the contrary, the rate of preterm birth was slightly higher among participants compared to those in control groups (Bitzer et al, 2011). At this point, it is impossible to identify whether the evaluative conclusion in terms of the 2 x 2 table constitutes a true negative or false negative.…”