Premature birth and premature discharge of amniotic fluid are often the result of infections of the reproductive system. Austrian scientists observed 207 women at 23-34 weeks of gestation who underwent a cesarean section and estimated the frequency of colonization of the Ureaplasma urealyticum amniotic cavity.

In the analysis, all patients were divided into 3 groups based on the indications for surgical delivery. In the first group, premature births that did not lend themselves to treatment were used as an indication, in the second - premature discharge of amniotic fluid and in the third - other reasons. During the operation, samples of amniotic fluid, amniotic membranes and placenta were taken to identify the pathogen.

U.urealyticum was detected in 58 (43.9%) of the 132 patients who had premature birth and premature discharge of amniotic fluid. The frequency of colonization of pregnant women in the first and second groups did not differ significantly. Among 75 patients in the third group, only 2 (2.7%) revealed a microorganism. Colonization of U.urealyticum was observed more often than all other mandatory pathogens (43.9% vs 39.3%).

Thus, the relationship between intrauterine colonization of U.urealyticum and untreatable preterm delivery and premature discharge of amniotic fluid has been revealed. It is not yet known whether U.urealyticum is a direct cause of an adverse pregnancy outcome, but therapy to prevent preterm birth should also aim to treat infections of the reproductive system.