Vaginal bacterial load in the second trimester is associated with early preterm birth recurrence: a nested case-control study

ObjectiveTo assess the association between vaginal microbiome (VMB) composition and recurrent early spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB)/preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM). DesignNested case-control study. SettingUK tertiary referral hospital. SampleHigh-risk women with previous sPTB/PPROM <34+0 weeks gestation who had a recurrence (n=22) or delivered at [&ge;]37+0 weeks without PPROM (n=87). MethodsVaginal swabs collected between 15-22... Show more