[Infections of the lower genital tract in asymptomatic pregnant women--a prospective study].

In a prospective study, 70 symptom free pregnant women were investigated (native secretion microscopy, vaginal culture, chlamydial smear, gonococcal culture) several times during pregnancy to determine the bacterial invasion of the lower genital tract. In view of the frequency of the presence of manifold pathogenic organisms found in these women without symptoms at widely different stages in pregnancy, danger of premature birth, the necessity of tocolysis or potential administration of cortisone to mature the lungs and indefinite symptoms in the pregnant woman, should give rise to an exact investigation of the lower genital tract, respecting possible infections. None of the pathogenic organisms which were found in the group of symptom free women in their pregnancy had any influence on the outcome of pregnancy or on the morbidity of the child. The presence of the lactobacillus in this group of symptom free pregnant women probably plays the decisive role.