Assessment of screening, treatment, and prevention of perinatal infections in the Philadelphia birth cohort.

Certain population groups are at risk for inadequate prenatal care and transmission of perinatal infections. Philadelphia's birth cohort comprises largely at-risk groups and its infant mortality rate is among the nation's highest. This study identifies factors associated with infectious disease screening, treatment, and prevention in Philadelphia. Delivery charts for a probability sample of 550 patients were reviewed. Demographic factors associated with prenatal and delivery care were identified through Pearson chi-square, analysis of variance, and stepwise logistic regression analysis. Nonstandard and incomplete documentation complicated abstraction. Some prenatal care was noted in 95% of the records and screening varied by disease. Factors independently associated with care include maternal race, insurance status, and maternal age. Screening for infections with well-established recommendations (hepatitis B virus, rubella, syphilis) occurred more often than for group B streptococcus, HIV, hepatitis C virus, and varicella. Adoption of standard reporting forms and processes could improve practice and aid in quality improvement efforts and patient communication.