Treating chlamydial infections in pregnancy and preventing adverse birth outcomes

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections globally; WHO estimates that there are more than 130 million new cases of chlamydia annually. Because chlamydial infections are often asymptomatic, screening programmes are imperative to control infection and to prevent adverse sequelae. Chlamydial infections are important causes of pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal infertility and can lead to ectopic pregnancies. 1 Adachi K Nielsen-Saines K Klausner JD Chlamydia trachomatis infection in pregnancy: the global challenge of preventing adverse pregnancy and infant outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Biomed Res Int. 2016; : 9315757 PubMed Google Scholar Additionally, chlamydial infections increase the risk of acquiring HIV infection. 2 Boily MC Baggaley RF Wang L et al. Heterosexual risk of HIV-1 infection per sexual act: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Lancet Infect Dis. 2009; 9: 118-129 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (619) Google Scholar Most, but not all, observational studies 1 Adachi K Nielsen-Saines K Klausner JD Chlamydia trachomatis infection in pregnancy: the global challenge of preventing adverse pregnancy and infant outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Biomed Res Int. 2016; : 9315757 PubMed Google Scholar , 3 Hammerschlag MR Chlamydial and gonococcal infections in infants and children. Clin Infect Dis. 2011; 53: S99-S102 Crossref PubMed Scopus (67) Google Scholar , 4 Silva MJ Florencio GL Gabiatti JR Amaral RL Eleutério Júnior, J Gonçalves AK Perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with chlamydial infection: a meta-analysis study. Braz J Infect Dis. 2011; 15: 533-539 Crossref PubMed Google Scholar and meta-analyses have shown that chlamydial infection is associated with adverse obstetric outcomes in pregnancy and increased morbidity and mortality of neonates. Chlamydia trachomatis and the risk of spontaneous preterm birth, babies who are born small for gestational age, and stillbirth: a population-based cohort studyA genital chlamydia infection that is diagnosed and, presumably, treated either during or before pregnancy does not substantially increase a woman's risk of having a spontaneous preterm birth, having a baby who is small for gestational age, or having a stillbirth. Full-Text PDF