Is screening for genital infections in pregnancy necessary?

In recent decades, cervical screening for gonorrhea has been an integral part of antenatal care. Today, in most countries in the "western world", other microorganisms commonly found in the vagina are important causes of premature labor and are associated with perinatal and puerperal infections. These include Chlamydia trachomatis, Group B streptococci, herpes simplex virus, genital mycoplasmas and bacterial vaginosis. This paper discusses current strategies to prevent complications of these infections in pregnancy and at birth.