Urine dipstick for predicting intrapartum recto-vaginal colonisation by group B streptococci

In pregnant women, bacteriuria with group B streptococci (GBS) may be associated with a high degree of recto-vaginal GBS colonisation and therefore an increased risk of early-onset GBS disease. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of routine use of dipstick urine analysis during pregnancy for prediction of recto-vaginal GBS colonisation at the time of labour.

Among 902 unselected Danish pregnant women, we obtained results from 1) dipstick urine analysis, 2) urine culture carried out during pregnancy, if indicated, and 3) recto-vaginal culture at labour. The inclusion criteria were age > 18 years and gestational age ≥ 37 weeks.

Intrapartum recto-vaginal GBS colonisation was predicted by a positive urine dipstick with 5% sensitivity only.

Dipstick urine analysis had a low sensitivity for predicting intrapartum recto-vaginal colonisation with GBS.

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