ABSTRACT
Vaginal infections are common during pregnancy and have been associated with adverse neonatal
outcomes, including preterm delivery, low birth weight, and increased neonatal morbidity.
However, evidence on the impact of specific vaginal infection types on neonatal outcomes in
Nigeria remains limited. This study assessed the relationship between vaginal infection type and
neonatal outcomes among pregnant women delivered at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH),
Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 216 pregnant women
consecutively recruited between 14 and 26 weeks of gestation at ISTH. High vaginal swabs were
collected and analyzed for bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (CDD), and
Trichomonas vaginalis infection. Participants diagnosed with infections received appropriate
2
treatment and were followed until delivery. Neonatal outcomes assessed included gestational age
at delivery, birth weight, Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) admission, and perinatal mortality. Data
were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Associations were tested using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact,
t-test, and ANOVA as appropriate, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Of the 216 women
enrolled, 181 (83.8%) delivered at ISTH and were included in the neonatal outcome analysis.
Candidiasis was the most common infection, occurring in 80 (44.2%) women, followed by BV in
63 (34.8%) and BV with Trichomonas vaginalis co-infection in 34 (18.8%). Preterm delivery
occurred in 8 (4.4%) women, all of whom had BV or co-infection (p = 0.015). Low birth weight
and very low birth weight were recorded in 5 (2.8%) and 3 (1.7%) neonates, respectively, with all
cases occurring among mothers with BV or co-infection, although the association with birth weight
category was not statistically significant (p = 0.130). Mean neonatal birth weight differed
significantly across infection groups, being highest among mothers with candidiasis (3.12 ± 0.40
kg) and lowest among those with BV (2.84 ± 0.40 kg) (p < 0.001). SCBU admission occurred in
7 (3.9%) neonates, all born to mothers with BV or co-infection, demonstrating a significant
association with infection type (p = 0.027). No perinatal deaths were recorded. Maternal vaginal
infection type was significantly associated with gestational age at delivery, neonatal birth weight,
and SCBU admission. Bacterial vaginosis and Trichomonas vaginalis-candidiasis co-infection
were associated with less favorable neonatal outcomes, whereas candidiasis alone was associated
with comparatively better outcomes. Routine antenatal screening, early diagnosis, and prompt
treatment of vaginal infections may contribute to improved neonatal health outcomes.
Keywords: Vaginal infections, bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, Trichomonas vaginalis, neonatal
outcomes, birth weight, preterm delivery, SCBU admission, pregnancy, Nigeria.
How to cite: Igene IC, Eigbedion AO, Yaya OB, Irhiogbe WO, Ogbiti MI, Isenalumhe AS,
Afekhobe JSB, Nwankwo CC, Ikhifa EC, Ogbiti MO, Ojeh-Oziegbe OG, Ogbiti JA, Okoh EO.
Vaginal Infection Type and Neonatal Outcomes: Birth Weight, Gestational Age at Delivery, and
Special Care Baby Unit Admission among Women Delivered at Irrua Specialist Teaching
Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria. Global Professionals Multidisciplinary Practices Journal. 2026,
3(2): 1-17
DOWNLOAD FULL DOCUMENT
