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[Papanicolaou test in pregnancy]
1Department of Obstetries and Gynecology, PUMC Hospital, CAMS, PUMC, Beijing 100730, China. chengxm@cssc.pumch.ac.cn
Summary
Routine Papanicolaou (Pap) smear tests are safe and necessary during pregnancy. While infection rates are higher, the occurrence of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) is lowest in pregnant individuals.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic oncology
- Prenatal diagnostics
- Cytopathology
Context:
- Papanicolaou (Pap) smear screening is a standard gynecological procedure.
- Pregnancy involves physiological changes that may affect screening results.
- Evaluating the role of Pap smears in prenatal care is crucial.
Purpose:
- To assess the necessity, safety, and acceptability of routine Pap smears in pregnant women.
- To analyze the cytological characteristics of Pap smears during pregnancy.
- To compare cervical lesion rates and infection prevalence between pregnant and non-pregnant women.
Summary:
- Pap smears were conducted on 954 pregnant women, 1,053 controls, and 1,908 outpatients, analyzed via PAPNET and Bethesda criteria.
- Abnormal epithelial changes were similar across groups (9.3% in pregnant women).
- Cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) rates were lowest in pregnant women (0.94%) compared to controls (2.75%) and outpatients (6.23%).
- Pregnant women exhibited significantly higher infection rates (89.9%) than gynecological outpatients (64.5%) and controls (69.1%).
Impact:
- Routine cervical Pap smears are deemed necessary, safe, and acceptable during prenatal testing.
- Findings support the continued use of Pap smears in prenatal care.
- Highlights the need for prompt treatment of infections in pregnant women undergoing Pap smears.