Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) represents a disturbance in the vaginal microflora with a massive overgrowth of predominantly anaerobic bacteria resulting in a disagreeable vaginal discharge. The syndrome of BV has been described in the medical literature since the turn of the century. BV has been considered as an unpleasant but essentially harmleis disturbance of the vaginal micro-flora. However, during the last decade a number of clinical reports have appeared indicating that women with BV run an increased relative risk of postabortal pelvic inflammatory disease, preterm labor, premature rupture of the membranes and post par-tum and post-Cesarean endometritis. The present study was carried out. 1994 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.