Clinical Summary of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation
This document is a summary of the 2008 recommendation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on screening for bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women. This summary is intended for use by primary care clinicians.
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| Population |
Asymptomatic Pregnant Women
Without Risk Factors for Preterm Delivery | Asymptomatic Pregnant Women
With Risk Factors for Preterm Delivery |
| Recommendation |
Do Not Screen
Grade: D
| No recommendation due to insufficient evidence.
|
| Risk Assessment |
Risk factors of preterm delivery include:
- African-American women.
- Pelvic infection.
- Previous preterm delivery.
Bacterial vaginosis is more common among African-American women,
women of low socioeconomic status, and women who have previously delivered low-birth-weight infants.
|
| Screening Tests |
Bacterial vaginosis is diagnosed using Amsel's clinical criteria or Gram stain.
When using Amsel's criteria, 3 out of 4 criteria must be met to make a clinical diagnosis:
- Vaginal pH >4.7.
- The presence of clue cells on wet mount.
- Thin homogeneous discharge.
- Amine 'fishy odor' when potassium hydroxide is added to the discharge.
|
| Screening Intervals |
Not applicable.
|
| Treatment |
Treatment is appropriate for pregnant women with symptomatic bacterial vaginosis infection.
Oral metronidazole and oral clindamycin, as well as vaginal metronidazole gel or clindamycin cream, are used to treat bacterial vaginosis.
The optimal treatment regimen is unclear.1
|
For a summary of the evidence systematically reviewed in making these recommendations, please go to the full recommendation statement, and supporting documents.
Copyright and Source Information
This document is in the public domain within the United States. For
information on reprinting, contact Randie Siegel, Director, Division of
Printing and Electronic Publishing, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,
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1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 250 mg oral metronidazole 3 times a day for 7 days as the treatment for bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy.
AHRQ Publication No. No. 08-05106-EF-3
Current as of February 2008
Internet Citation:
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Bacterial Vaginosis: Clinical Summary of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation. AHRQ Publication No. 08-05106-EF-3, February 2008. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf08/bv/bvsum.htm
540 Gaither Road Rockville, MD 20850