Paternal race and bacterial vaginosis during the first trimester of pregnancy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the joint effects of maternal and paternal race on risk of bacterial vaginosis (BV) during the first trimester. In this cohort of black women and white women with singleton gestation at <13 weeks (n = 325), BV was diagnosed by vaginal pH and Gram stain. BV was less common among white women than black women. Paternal race modified the effect of maternal race on BV risk. BV risk was 2-fold greater among both white female-black male partners and black female-white male partners. BV risk was also 2-fold greater among black female-black male partners. Black race among both partners confers no additional risk than with 1 black partner. Paternal black race is an independent risk factor for BV during pregnancy and is as important a risk factor as maternal race. Studies of BV and adverse pregnancy outcomes should consider paternal race.