Screening: Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnancy

Screening for Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnancy

Release Date: 2001

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against routinely screening high-risk pregnant women for bacterial vaginosis (BV). (See Clinical Considerations for discussion of populations at high risk.)
Rating: I recommendation.

Rationale: The USPSTF found good-quality studies with conflicting results that screening and treatment of asymptomatic BV in high-risk pregnant women reduces the incidence of preterm delivery. The magnitude of benefit exceeded risk in several studies, but the single largest study reported no benefit among high-risk pregnant women.
The USPSTF recommends against routinely screening average-risk asymptomatic pregnant women for BV.
Rating: D recommendation.

Rationale: There is good evidence that screening and treatment of BV in asymptomatic women who are not at high risk does not improve outcomes such as preterm labor or preterm birth.

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