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Bacterial vaginosis screening

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Last update: 
May 28, 2010
Authors: 
Vincenzo Berghella
Authors: 
Nancy Hendrix

Key Points

  • Screening is not recommended for asymtomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV), since it has not been shown to prevent complications (eg preterm birth [PTB])
  • Screening for asymptomatic BV in women at high risk for PTB (i.e. prior PTB) is controversial. As meta-analysis of randomized trails (RCTs) show only a NON-SIGNIFICANT 17-22% prevention of PTB, we do not recommend routine screening in this women, either. This screening is also not recommended by ACOG, Cochrane Database, and USPSTF. [Hendrix NW. Bacterial vaginosi. In: Preterm birth: Prevention and Management. Editor: V Berghella. Wiley-Blackwell, 2010]