Association between maternal cervicovaginal swab positivity for Ureaplasma spp. or other microorganisms and neonatal respiratory outcome and mortality

Objective We investigated the association between maternal cervicovaginal cultures, its antibiotic treatment, and neonatal outcome. Study design This retrospective cohort study enrolled 480 neonates born prior to 32 weeks' gestation. They were divided into groups according to maternal cervicovaginal culture results. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to predict neonatal outcome based on maternal culture results, adjusted for perinatal risk factors and neonatal morbidities. Result Maternal cervicovaginalUreaplasmacolonization was independently associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks (BPD) (OR 8.34; 95% CI 1.21-57.45). In neonates with and without maternal cervicovaginalUreaplasmacolonization BPD occurred in 12.3% and 3.8%, respectively. Maternal colonization with other microorganisms was associated with a higher neonatal mortality (p = 0.002), lower gestational age (p = 0.026), and birth weight (p = 0.036). Conclusions This study underscores the role of the maternal cervicovaginal microbiome as a predictor of neonatal outcome. CervicovaginalUreaplasmacolonization seems not to be an innocent bystander in the multifactorial etiology of BPD.