Perinatal Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Health for Women and Children, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Maternity Health Care Unit, Göteborg, Sweden. bo.jacobsson@obgyn.gu.se
BACKGROUND: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been reported to be associated with spontaneous preterm delivery and infectious morbidity after birth in non-Swedish populations. Our intention was to investigate the situation in a Swedish population. METHODS: In this cohort study, 924 patients were enrolled consecutively. A Papanicolaou (Pap) smear, which included a posterior fornix sample, was obtained at the first visit (median: 12 weeks and 1 day) at the two antenatal care units in central Göteborg 1990-91. Clue cells in the Pap smear were considered to be consistent with BV. The principal outcome variables were spontaneous preterm birth (