Two-round STI screening reduces preterm birth risk

A randomized clinical trial involving 2,247 pregnant participants in South Africa suggests that screening and treating for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) twice during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of preterm birth.

The study, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, focused on three common, treatable STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Researchers found that approximately 80 percent of these infections caused no symptoms, meaning standard care based solely on symptom presentation often missed opportunities for intervention.

Participants were divided into three groups. The group that received screening and treatment at their first visit and again between 30 and 34 weeks of pregnancy saw a preterm birth rate of 14.5 percent. In contrast, the standard care group had a preterm birth rate of 18.8 percent, representing a 23 percent reduction in risk for the twice-screened group. Single-timepoint screening did not yield a similar protective benefit, with a preterm birth rate of 18.9 percent.