The frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis infection and bacterial vaginosis
in adolescents attending for early termination of pregnancy and for
contraception advice in family planning clinic
E. Vrtacnik-Bokal, B. Pinter
Department of Ob/Gyn, University Medical Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection, the most common cause of the sexually
transmitted infections in adolescents. We also wanted to know if pregnancy has
any effect on the development of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in adolescents in the
first trimester.
Design and methods: Two hundred women aged 15–19 years were included
in this prospective study at the Dept of Ob/Gyn at the University Medical Center
in Ljubljana, Slovenia. In the first group (the study group) 100 consecutive
adolescents who came for early termination of pregnancy were enrolled, and in
the second group (the control group) another 100 consecutive adolescents who
came for a contraception advice in family planning clinic were enrolled. In all
women cervical smears were taken for CT determination by using polymerase chain
reaction. At the same time BV from vaginal discharge was confirmed if the
presence of following findings was found: thin and homogeneous vaginal
discharge, pH>4.5, positive amine test with addition of potassium hydroxyde
to vaginal fluid and the presence of clue cells in wet-mount preparation.
Results: The prevalence of CT in both groups was the same: 11.8% in
the study group vs. 10.0% in the control group (p=NS). The prevalence of BV was
the same, 8.0%, in both groups (p=NS).
Conclusions: The prevalence of CT in our adolescent population is
comparable to the CT prevalence in other European countries and justify
providing systematic yearly CT screening and antibiotic treatment before early
termination of pregnancy. In the first trimester, pregnancy has no effect on the
frequency of BV in adolescents.
