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Genital mycoplasmas in preterm infants: prevalence and clinical significance

S Izraeli1, Z Samra, L Sirota

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Beilinson Medical Centre, Petach-Tiqva, Israel.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|September 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Genital mycoplasma infections, particularly Ureaplasma urealyticum, are common in Israeli preterm infants. Colonization inversely correlates with gestational age but does not worsen outcomes for infants over 27 weeks old.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Genital mycoplasmas, including Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis, are emerging neonatal pathogens.
  • Understanding their prevalence in vulnerable preterm infants is crucial for clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of genital mycoplasma infections in preterm infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units in Israel.
  • To investigate the association between mycoplasma colonization and gestational age, clinical outcomes, and mortality.

Main Methods:

  • A survey was conducted on 99 preterm infants in two Israeli NICUs.
  • Throat swabs, lower airway secretions, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures were analyzed for Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis.

Main Results:

  • Overall, 24% of preterm infants were colonized with mycoplasmas, with Ureaplasma urealyticum being the most prevalent.
  • Colonization rates were higher in infants with lower gestational ages (80% <28 weeks vs. 17.9% 28-36 weeks).
  • While colonization was linked to increased neonatal mortality and complications, this association was not significant for infants over 27 weeks gestation.

Conclusions:

  • Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization is common in Israeli preterm infants and inversely correlates with gestational age.
  • Mycoplasma colonization does not appear to negatively impact the morbidity and mortality of preterm infants born after 27 weeks gestation.

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