Effects of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection on neonates: a meta-analysis

Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) is an opportunistic pathogen transmitted from mother to fetus, potentially causing neonatal diseases. Despite extensive research, its association with these diseases remains uncertain. This study analyzes the effects of UU infection on newborns.

We performed an exhaustive literature review by searching various databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane, for research articles published before March 2024 on the impact of UU infection on neonates and its association with related diseases. Keywords included "Ureaplasma urealyticum", "Pregnancy Outcomes", "Sepsis", "Cerebral Intraventricular Hemorrhage", "Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia", and "Necrotizing Enterocolitis". Two authors independently screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated study quality. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata software, where either a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model was employed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The methodological quality of each study was assessed, and the quality of evidence for outcome measures was graded using the GRADE (Grades of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation, GRADE) system.

Thirteen studies, published between 2011 and 2024, were included, covering regions of China (two studies), South Korea (three studies), Japan (two studies), Austria (three studies), Germany (one study), Belgium (one study), and Italy (one study). Findings indicate that UU infection significantly increased the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and sepsis in neonates. However, the correlation between UU infection and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was found not to be significant. Additionally, a descriptive analysis of two studies on UU infection's impact on neonatal pneumonia showed no significant correlation.

UU infection significantly increases the risk of BPD, IVH, and sepsis in newborns.