Preterm birth and low birth weight are considered as important public health concerns since both are important causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality (1-3). Furthermore, these adverse birth outcomes seem to have long term consequences. Preterm birth infants are at risk for neurodevelopmental problems (4). Low birth weight infants are at risk for the development of coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus (5). Several determinants of preterm birth and low birth weight have been identifi ed, including biological, genetic and socio-demographic determinants (6-8). Of the biological determinants, Chlamydia trachomatis during pregnancy may lead to low birth weight, preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes and other adverse pregnancy outcomes (9-11). However, the literature regarding the adverse eff ects of these infections yields confl icting results mainly due to diff erences in study design and population and microbiological tests employed (12-22). Laboratory testing on C. trachomatis or other urogenital infections during pregnancy is not routinely performed. Specifi c antenatal attention for urogenital symptoms, indicating a possible underlying urogenital tract infection, may be helpful in identifying women at increased risk for delivering preterm or low birth weight infants. Not much is known of the eff ects of urogenital symptoms in diff erent periods of pregnancy with pregnancy outcomes. This may be relevant for identifying critical periods during pregnancy that could be used for targeting preventive strategies.

, ,
Municipal Health Service Rotterdam, Rotterdam Homecare Foundation, Stichting Trombosedienst & Artsenlaboratorium Rijnmond (STAR), Stichting W.H. Kröger, Rotterdam
H.A. Moll (Henriëtte) , R. de Groot (Ronald)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
hdl.handle.net/1765/13276
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Duijts, L. (2008, June 11). Infectious diseases and immune system in infants Risk factors and consequences: The Generation R Study. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/13276