Prospective study of perinatal transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis

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Abstract
During a five-year period, 262 (4.7%) of 5,531 pregnant women had positive cervical cultures forChlamydia trachomatis, and 131 of their infants were followed up prospectively to ascertain the outcome of chlamydial exposure during the birth process. Culture-confirmed inclusion conjunctivitis of the newborn was seen in 23 (18%) of the infants. Chlamydial pneumonia was diagnosed in 21 (16%) of the infants at risk.Chlamydia trachomatiswas recovered from 47 of the infants (36%), while 79 (60%) showed serologic evidence of infection. Subclinical rectal and vaginal infections were detected in 14% of infants at risk. In our population, 2.8% of newborn infants show serologic evidence of perinatal chlamydial infection and 1.4% develop either chlamydial pneumonia or conjunctivitis. Incidence rates of this magnitude indicate the need for programs aimed at preventing perinatal transmission ofC trachomatis. (JAMA1986;255:3374-3377)

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