Abstracts » Health

Chlamydia trachomatis infection during pregnancy

Article Abstract:

Chlamydial infections are sexually transmitted and can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease in women and epididymitis (inflammation of the epididymis) in men. It can also be transmitted from mother to infant during vaginal delivery, and cause eye and lung infections in newborn infants. It is estimated that 50 to 70 percent of the infants born to infected mothers will become infected, and that 100,000 newborn infants become infected each year. Eye infections (conjunctivitis) in newborn infants occur within several weeks of delivery and pneumonia can develop within six weeks to six months after delivery. Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) during pregnancy may cause premature rupture of the membranes, premature labor and birth resulting in low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, and stillbirth. To reduce the incidence of infection in newborn infants, early identification and treatment of maternal infections are important. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all pregnant women be tested for C. trachomatis, gonorrhea, and syphilis at their first prenatal visit and again during the third trimester of pregnancy if risk factors are present. Antibiotic treatment should include either oral erythromycin (500 milligrams, four times a day for seven days) or oral amoxicillin (500 milligrams, three times a day for seven days). Erythromycin can cause gastrointestinal problems in some patients; in these cases, clindamycin or amoxicillin may be used instead. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Infection, Causes of, Complications and side effects, Drug therapy, Infants (Newborn), Newborn infants, Disease transmission, Chlamydia trachomatis, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications, Chlamydia infections

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Readily treatable reproductive tract infections and preterm birth among black women

Article Abstract:

Studies reveal that African-American women and their families have rates of preterm birth and infant death that are twice as high as other large ethnic/racial groups in the US. Development and implementation of etiologically based interventions to prevent preterm birth has the potential to improve differentially the health of African-American and other families that are at risk for preterm birth.

United States, Health aspects, Care and treatment, Prevention, Premature labor, Genital diseases, Female, Female genital diseases, African American women, Premature labour, Clinical report

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