Chlamydia trachomatis ('C. trachowati4 infection during pregnancy may have a role in preterm labour, low birth weight and neonatal conjunctivitis. The current study was Carried out on 70 pregnant women in labour and their neonalas attended Benin, University Hospital during the period from January 1996 to April 1996. They were selected as follows: 35 women with preterm labour pain, their gestational age was between 20-37 weeks (study group) and 35 full term pregnant women in labour after 37 weeks of gestation (control group). The aim of this study was to detect C trachomalic cervical infection among both groups and assess its role as a causative agent for preterm labour and neonatal conjunctivitis. Detection of C trachontatis infection was carried out by detection of chlamydial antigen by direct immunofluorescence test (DIMF) on entlocervical smear of preterit) and full term pregnant women in labour and on conjunctival smear of their neonates. C frachomaiis infection was significantly increased among women in preterm labour: it was found in 6(17.1%) out of 35 women of study group compared to 1 (2.8%) out of 35 women of control group. Neonatal chlainydial conjunctivitis was detected in 1(16.6%) out o16 preterm neonates of chlamydia infected mothers. No significant association was found between chlamydial infection and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM), maternal age, parity and gestational age at time of preterit] labour |
