Risk of preterm delivery in pregnant women with group B streptococcal urinary infections or urinary antibodies to group B streptococcal and <i>E. coli</i> antigens

Abstract

These data do not support previous reports that positive urine cultures for group B streptococci are associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery. Our report of an association between elevated levels of urinary antibodies and preterm delivery is a new finding consistent with the possibility that a local inflammatory response to uro-genital infection may be important in stimulating the onset of preterm labour. The results suggest that screening for urinary antibodies at 28 weeks gestation might help to identify a group of women at increased risk of prematurity.