Studies done on Group B Strep
and vaginal douching versus antiboiotics.
(These are summaries done to facilitate quick and easy reading. Detailed studies are available.)
J Matern Fetal Med 2002 Feb 11 (2):84-8
Chlorhexidine vaginal flushings versus ampicillin in the prevention of vertical transmission of neonatal group B strep, at term.
Department of gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatric Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
A total of 244 woman were all about the same age and at the same gestational age. 108 were treated with ampicillin and 109 with chlohexidine.
Conclusion: In this carefully screened target population, vaginal douching was done during labor with chlorhexidine in moms who have colonies. It was found that using the chlorhexidine was just as efficient as ampicillin in preventing vertical transmission of group B Strep. Moreover, the rate of E. coli neonatal coli colonization was reduced by the chlorhexidine wash.
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Aker Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway.
Titled: Vaginal disinfection with Chlohexidine during childbirth
Purpose of study: to determine whether vaginal douching with chlorhexidine applied with a squeeze bottle during pregnancy, reduces mother-to-child infectious morbidity. Study conducted on 1130 woman in labor.
Conclusion: Bacteria were isolated in 78% of the woman.
Vaginal douching with saline solution reduced the numbers of bacteria transmitted to 7.2% of the woman. Chlorhexidine reduced the numbers of infected woman to 3.3%.
This trial demonstrated that vaginal douching with 0.2% chlorhexidine during labor can significantly reduce both maternal and early neonatal infections. The squeeze bottle douching was simple, quick and well tolerated.
National Bacteriological Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
Study was done on 4483 woman expecting a full-term single birth. Vaginal flushing was then done with vaginal douche of saline on ½ the woman and the other ½ with chlorhexidine vaginal douche. 5.4% of the babies were transferred to neonatal with the saline and 2.4% were transferred with the chhlorhexidine.
Conclusion: Maternal S Agalacitiae colonization is associated with excess early neonatal morbidity when they swallow bacteria on the way out of the birth canal. Vaginal Chlorhexidine douche during labor reduces the number of babies affected and transfered to neonatal care.
Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Nijimegen, The Netherlands
227 pregnant moms were tested and 25% were found to be GBS positive.
In carriers, transmission occurred in 50%. Chlorhexidine was given via vaginal douche from the first trimester of pregnancy. None of the newborns of these woman had colonization at birth.
John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD