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The postpartum Papanicolaou smear
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson 85719.
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Routine postpartum Pap smears are important for detecting cervical abnormalities. Even with a normal prenatal Pap smear, a postpartum Pap smear can identify potential issues like squamous dysplasia.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Cytopathology
Background:
- Cervical cancer screening via Papanicolaou (Pap) smears is crucial.
- Evaluating the necessity of routine postpartum Pap smears following normal prenatal screening is important for maternal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical significance of performing routine Papanicolaou (Pap) smears during the postpartum period.
- To determine the incidence and nature of cervical abnormalities detected by postpartum Pap smears after normal prenatal Pap smears.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 489 patients who received prenatal care with a normal Pap smear.
- Repeat Pap smears were collected during the postpartum examination for all participants.
Main Results:
- 4.9% of patients exhibited abnormal postpartum Pap smears (95% CI: 3.1-6.9%).
- Squamous dysplasia was identified in 87.5% of abnormal smears; squamous atypia in 12.5%.
- Age over 30 was associated with a lower likelihood of abnormal postpartum Pap smears (P = 0.008).
Conclusions:
- The findings support the continued practice of Pap smear screening during both prenatal care and postpartum examinations.
- Routine postpartum Pap smears are valuable for identifying cervical abnormalities, even when prenatal screening results are normal.